Deschamps named France's coach of the year
Sunday, December 12, 2010
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Olympique de Marseille's Didier Deschamps has been chosen as France's Coach of the Year, the former international midfielder receiving the award for the second time in his career.
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Olympique de Marseille's Didier Deschamps has been named France's Coach of the Year, pipping Jean Fernandez of AJ Auxerre and Montpellier Hérault SC's René Girard to the award organised by France Football magazine.
Seventeen years after captaining Marseille to UEFA Champions League glory in 1992/93, Deschamps led the club to their first silverware since becoming European champions by winning both the Ligue 1 crown and French League Cup last term. Those achievements have earned him the coaching honour for the second time in his career after he was selected while at AS Monaco FC in 2003. The decision was made by a jury composed of all previous winners, from Robert Herbin in 1973 to last year's recipient, Laurent Blanc.
"It's a great honour," said Deschamps. "But credit to the players – we can't do anything without them. I had great coaches in the past, but I'll always remember the first one, Jean-Claude Suaudeau [at FC Nantes]. I spent long hours speaking about coaching with him."
