Gallice hopes for glorious goodbye

By Christian Isnard

France coach Jean Gallice is hoping to bow out in style as he prepares to take his team to Northern Ireland for the finals of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship.

Four-time winners
The 56-year-old has been in charge for the last four years, and wants to bring his tenure to a close by guiding the four-time European U18 champions to the title for the first time since the tournament became an U19 event four seasons ago. Although Gallice has overseen only five defeats during his reign, this crop of French talent have not yet managed any silverware - something the coach is keen to put right in Northern Ireland.

Impressive statistics
"In four years, we have lost twice to England, twice to Spain and once to Italy," he said. "Our overall statistics are not too bad but, of course, I'd like to end with a trophy. But the main aim will be to play well and be happy with our performances regardless of the results. I know there is not much between glory and despair."

Dual ambition
The former French international believes that, in youth football, player development is just as important as results. "I won't single out names at this point but we have seven or eight players who can go on to the Under-21 side," Gallice said. "My mission is to clinch trophies, that's true, but also to provide players for the future."

Perfect record
Gallice's charges were the only team to qualify for the finals with six victories, seeing off Armenia, Azerbaijan and F.Y.R. Macedonia in the qualifying round. France then beat Portugal and Israel in the Elite round before ending the supremacy of holders Spain with a 1-0 success. However, that game could yet prove costly as the squad's most experienced midfielder, Yohan Cabaye of LOSC Lille Métropole, and top scorer Franck Dja Djédjé, who has scored seven goals this season, were both sent off and will sit out the first match of the finals.

Mental fortitude
Midfielder Vassiriki Diaby is also suspended for the opening encounter with England, while Gallice himself is banned from the touchline for that and France's second game against Norway, having admitted that tensions ran high against the Spanish. "The game with Spain cost us a lot," he said. "Spain knocked us out of the [UEFA] European Under-17 Championship at the same stage of the competition two years ago, but now it's our turn. Mentally, we proved stronger and that made the difference."

Nothing to fear
England inflicted France's sole reverse of the campaign, winning 1-0 in a friendly last November, but Gallice is confident France have what it takes to progress from Group B and is well briefed on what to expect from the opposition. "We fear nobody but are wary of everybody," he said. "England are the only team to beat us this season. We know how important physical strength will be against Norway. And Armenia have knocked out Italy, Hungary and Belgium, which shows their value."

Fresh challenge
Looking beyond the finals, Gallice together with the French Football Federation's technical staff has decided he will take a year-long sabbatical from coaching and concentrate on a new challenge. "After the finals, I'll be responsible for looking into the physical preparations of our national teams," he said. "It's my favourite field and there is a lot to do." For now, though, his mind is focused on the immediate task in hand.