Willy Sagnol

Willy David Frédéric Sagnol  (born 18 March 1977) is a French professional football manager and former player who played as a defender. He is currently the manager of the Georgia national team.

Sagnol spent much of his professional career playing for Bayern Munich in Germany's Bundesliga. He was also part of the French squad at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship, 2002 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2004, 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2008.

As a manager, he had a two-year period in charge of Bordeaux before being appointed as coach of Georgia in 2021, subsequently leading them to their first ever major tournament by qualifying for UEFA Euro 2024.

Club career
Sagnol first made his way in the world of football at his father's former club in Haute-Loire, Montfaucon-en-Velay where he developed his defensive game at right back, as well as performing exceptionally on the right side of midfield.

Saint-Étienne
From Montfaucon he progressed, eventually joining the region's flagship club Saint-Étienne.

Monaco
An impressive two-year spell saw him earn a transfer to Monaco in 1997. With Monaco, he experienced his first taste of success, winning Division 1 in 2000. Sagnol also played in Jean Tigana's talented Monaco team which knocked Manchester United out of the UEFA Champions League in 1998 on away goals after a 1–1 draw at Old Trafford. His form saw him pressing for a call up to represent France internationally, but he was initially overlooked by national coach Roger Lemerre.

Bayern Munich
In the summer of 2000, Sagnol transferred to German club Bayern Munich, and did not take long to break into the first team. A solid defender but also equally comfortable operating in attacking positions (often as a wing back), Sagnol's superb crossing ability marked him out as a key player in Bayern's attacking play. With the Bavarian club, he won the Bundesliga in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2008; the UEFA Champions League in 2001; and the DFB-Pokal in 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2008.

Because of continuing problems with his Achilles tendon, Sagnol announced his retirement from playing on 1 February 2009.

International career
At international level, he had less success, often finding himself on the bench playing second fiddle to Lilian Thuram on the right side of the French defence. It was not until the retirement of Marcel Desailly and Thuram's consequent move into the centre of the French defence that Sagnol finally became first-choice right back in 2004, and remained there for the next four years.

Sagnol was part of France's squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, starting each of his country's seven games en route to the final. His competent performances, aided by France's progression to the final led to him being named as one of the outstanding defensive performers in the tournament. He saved his best display for the biggest stage of them all, the World Cup final, and was one of the better performers in a game largely remembered for off-the-ball events rather than on-the-field performances. Indeed, Sagnol's name could have been immortalised had his strong effort on goal not been successfully repelled by Gianluigi Buffon. Nonetheless, his performance was notable for a solid defensive contribution as well as important involvement in several attacking moves, such as when he provided a cross for his captain Zinedine Zidane, whose header was again saved by Buffon. Sagnol also took and scored the final spot kick for France in the shoot-out, which they lost 5–3.

In the qualification campaign for UEFA Euro 2008, fans saw a completely new side of Sagnol. On several occasions, Sagnol had good efforts on goal as well as still supplying his trademark crosses for teammates like Thierry Henry against Scotland at Hampden Park on 7 October 2006. Sagnol was one of his country's better performers in France's shock loss, having three efforts on goal from his right back spot, one in particular forcing a save from Scottish goalkeeper Craig Gordon. The following match, against the Faroe Islands in Paris, was his 50th for his country. His displays in that qualification campaign once more provided proof that Sagnol could be counted on for his consistent defensive play and also to provide extra quality when joining the attack.

Girondins de Bordeaux
Sagnol was head coach of the France national under-21 team until he was appointed head coach of Girondins de Bordeaux on 23 May 2014. He signed a two-year contract which expired on 30 June 2016. Girondins de Bordeaux originally wanted Zinedine Zidane as their head coach. This was Sagnol's first coaching job at club level. In Sagnol's first season, Bordeaux finished sixth in Ligue 1, the round of 32 in the Coupe de France, and the round of 16 in the Coupe de la Ligue. The season included a 4–1 win against Monaco, 3–2 win against Paris Saint-Germain, and a 5–0 loss to Olympique Lyonnais.

In the 2015–16 season, Bordeaux defeated AEK Larnaca and Kairat Almaty to qualify for the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. Bordeaux started the league season with a win, four draws, and a loss. On matchday seven, on 23 September 2015, Bordeaux lost to Nice 6–1.

Sagnol was dismissed on 14 March 2016 after a 4–0 loss to Toulouse in the Derby de la Garonne.

Bayern Munich
On 9 June 2017, Sagnol re-joined Bayern Munich as an assistant coach under Carlo Ancelotti. Ancelotti was dismissed by the club on 28 September 2017 and Sagnol was announced as interim manager. After managing Bayern for eight days and one match (a 2–2 draw against Hertha BSC), Sagnol left the club when permanent manager Jupp Heynckes and his assistants Peter Hermann and Hermann Gerland were announced.

Georgia
Sagnol was appointed the manager of the Georgia national team on 15 February 2021. In 2024, he led them to their first ever major international tournament, UEFA Euro 2024, after defeating Greece in the qualifying play-off final on penalties. He led Georgia to the knockout stage of the final tournament following a 2–0 victory against Portugal in the last group game.

Personal life
He is married and has four children.

Honours
Monaco
 * Division 1: 1999–2000
 * Trophée des Champions: 1997

Bayern Munich
 * Bundesliga: 2000–01, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08
 * DFB-Pokal: 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08
 * DFL-Ligapokal: 2000
 * UEFA Champions League: 2000–01
 * Intercontinental Cup: 2001

France
 * FIFA Confederations Cup: 2001, 2003
 * FIFA World Cup runner-up: 2006