What are the top 10 French soccer coaches?

If the history of French soccer has been significantly marked by the success of iconic individuals and teams, its record is also due to the journey and outstanding personalities of many coaches. A radiance both nationally and internationally in the world's greatest championships. Through their vision of the sport, their leadership, or their tactical sense, French coaches remain today the embodiment of high-level soccer.

From Zinedine Zidane, famous both for his exploits as a player and for his acumen as a coach at Real Madrid, to Aimé Jacquet, the architect behind France's triumph at the 1998 World Cup, these coaches have made their mark on the history of French soccer. What are their secrets? Who are the ten best French soccer coaches?

We will answer all these questions in this guide. Here is our top 10!

1. The qualities of a great soccer coach
2. The most titled French coaches
3. The top 10 French soccer coaches

The qualities of a great soccer coach

Before presenting our top 10 French soccer coaches, it is worth recalling the common qualities of these personalities, both individually and collectively. Here are the main ones:

1. Closeness with players: the first quality, a good coach must have a real closeness with each player on their team, and therefore best adapt their approach on and off the field (their qualities, limits, physical weaknesses, personality, emotional management, role in the locker room...).
2. Active listening to players: this goes hand in hand with the first point, the ability to listen and understand players is essential to establish effective communication and trust, both for team integration and individual motivation.
3. Knowing how to motivate the team: a good coach must of course inspire and unite the team, especially during difficult periods, serving as a strengthening link between players.
4. Adaptability: reacting appropriately and flexibly to changing circumstances (bad weather, injuries, last-minute defeats, refereeing errors...) is also a complex but common quality for any great coach.
5. Reactivity during matches: prepared for any eventuality, a coach must be able to respond quickly to match surprises to maintain the team's competitiveness and be able to turn the end of a match with established strategic changes (substitutions, change of formation...).

The most titled French coaches

Among the most titled French coaches, Arsène Wenger (coach from 1996 to 2018) stands out for his lasting impact within the English club Arsenal, with three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups! His offensive playing philosophy and commitment to developing young talent have profoundly influenced English soccer. It should be noted that Arsène Wenger is the only French coach to have led Arsenal to the Champions League final (2006)!

We could also mention Zinedine Zidane, who also raised the standard of European excellence with three consecutive UEFA Champions League victories, an extraordinary feat for his first experiences at a high level as a coach. The Frenchman has today become even more of a legend at the Madrid club.

The top 10 French soccer coaches

Let's now move on to the moment you've all been waiting for, our top 10 French soccer coaches, along with a quick description of what marked their careers! Of course, this list remains non-exhaustive and the chosen order has no particular significance.

1. Zinedine Zidane - With his three consecutive Champions League titles with Real Madrid.
2. Didier Deschamps - World Champion 2018 with France, 20 years after the first star of the Blues.
3. Arsène Wenger - As already mentioned with his three Premier League titles; and the impact the French coach had on Arsenal and its players.
4. Aimé Jacquet - World Champion 1998; or the man who brought the first star to the French team!
5. Guy Roux - Due to his exceptional longevity at Auxerre, promoting the club from amateur division to the elite, Ligue 1. He is one of the few coaches to have stayed at a single club throughout his career, over 44 years! Although Guy Roux did not win major titles with his club, he left a significant mark on the history of French soccer.
6. Laurent Blanc - And his French championship titles with Girondins de Bordeaux and Paris Saint-Germain, more recently.
7. Jean-Claude Suaudeau - French Champion with Nantes in 1995, precursor of the "jeu à la nantaise"!
8. Albert Batteux - Leader of Reims during its golden age in the 50s, reaching two European Cup finals.
9. Roger Lemerre - European Champion in 2000 with France, after being Jacquet's assistant in 1998.
10. Paul Le Guen - Paul Le Guen, one of the most remarkable French coaches of his generation, shone at the head of Olympique Lyonnais, where he led the club to three consecutive French championship titles. After Lyon, he took the reins of a struggling Paris Saint-Germain, managing not only to avoid relegation but also to secure a Coupe de la Ligue victory in 2008!

Bonus: Michel Hidalgo - Michel Hidalgo, before becoming an iconic coach, won two French Championship titles as a player. Once graduated, he took the reins of the French team, playing a key role in its renaissance in the 80s. Notably in 1982, he led France to its first European Championship title, earning him the title of manager of the year. Two years later, he was recognized as world manager of the year by World Soccer magazine. His death in March 2020 deeply moved the French soccer world.

You have understood, the history of French soccer is marked by coaches with remarkable records, all having contributed to the success of their club or national team. Through their visions, tactics, and passion for soccer, these coaches continue to inspire the young talents of tomorrow and most fans around the world.