René Girard (footballer)

René Girard (born 4 April 1954) is a French football manager and former player.

Early life
Girard was born in Vauvert, Gard.

Playing career
Girard won seven caps, scoring one goal for France and was a member of the squad that finished fourth at the 1982 World Cup. At club level, while playing for Bordeaux, Girard won three Ligue 1 titles – in 1983–84, 1984–85 and 1986–87, as well as two Coupes de France, over Marseille in the 1986 and 1987 editions.

Coaching career
Girard managed Nîmes, Strasbourg, Pau FC and multiple France youth teams. He coached the France national under-21 team from 2004 to 2008.

On 3 June 2009, he became the new head coach of Montpellier HSC, replacing Rolland Courbis. In the 2011–12 season, Montpellier shocked the footballing world by winning its first Ligue 1 title, finishing the season with 82 points, three more than runner-up Paris Saint-Germain. He said after his team won it. "I think our triumph is a real shot in the arm for French football.  "It just goes to show that everyone can beat everyone and that money isn't the be-all and end-all. We're a club of mates, a club that brings young players through and gives them a chance. "At the end of the day, it's worked out well for us. We played some great football, with a well-balanced team and I'm overwhelmed."

He signed for Lille in July 2013, replacing Rudi Garcia who left for Roma.

On 30 September 2018, he was appointed as the head coach of Moroccan club Wydad AC.

Player
Bordeaux
 * Division 1: 1983–84, 1984–85, 1986–87
 * Coupe de France: 1985–86, 1986–87
 * Challenge des Champions: 1986

Manager
Montpellier
 * Ligue 1: 2011–12