Olivier Bernard
Encyclopedia
Olivier Bernard is a retired French
footballer
. He announced his retirement after leaving Newcastle United
on 16 May 2007.
. He had an evolving career with the Magpies between 2000 and 2005 even though he was at Darlington
on loan in the 2000–01
season. He formed a strong left flank partnership with fellow Frenchman Laurent Robert
, being a part of Sir Bobby Robson's side which finished 4th, 3rd and 5th as well as reaching the knockout rounds of the Uefa Champions League
and the semi finals of the Uefa Cup
. l He was a regular starter at the beginning of the 2004-05 season, but Sir Bobby Robson was sacked on 28 August 2004 and replaced by Graeme Souness
, who made drastic changes at the club, cutting star players like Craig Bellamy
and Laurent Robert
.
on a five month contract.
When Southampton were relegated to the Championship
in 2005, Bernard's contract expired and was not renewed by the club.
on 1 September 2005 after turning down potential moves back to the Premier League with Birmingham City FC and Bolton Wanderers. He cited the prospect of playing in the Champions League
once again was a driving force for his move.
After just one season with Rangers, and only nine league appearances, he was released after being made surplus to requirements by new manager Paul Le Guen
and was sent looking for new employers.
.
However, his second spell on Tyneside did not turn out as well as hoped, with Bernard struggling for fitness and a series of niggling injuries preventing him from making his second debut for Newcastle. The latest injury was reported to be a hip injury. He made numerous reserve team outings, and was an unused substitute in some Uefa Cup
fixtures, including away to Palermo
and Levadia Tallinn. He never made an appearance for Newcastle during his injury hampered spell.
As a result of this, on 16 May 2007 it was announced that, following the appointment of Sam Allardyce
as Newcastle boss Bernard, along with Titus Bramble
, Oguchi Onyewu
, Craig Moore
, and Pavel Srníček
would not be playing for the side the following season having been released from their contracts.
to keep his fitness up in June 2008, mainly because he is friends with former Toronto midfielder Laurent Robert
. He retired from football due to a hip injury. In a 2011 interview, he criticised manager Graeme Souness
' man management and blamed him for the death of his career. Bernard's injury will require an operation eventually, but he is prolonging it despite the pain. He may never be able to run or have full mobility again- living with a limp for the rest of his life is almost a certainty.. He now fights racism in football with Show Racism the Red Card
.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
. He announced his retirement after leaving Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
on 16 May 2007.
Newcastle United
Bernard made his name during his first spell with Newcastle after joining from LyonOlympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
. He had an evolving career with the Magpies between 2000 and 2005 even though he was at Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
on loan in the 2000–01
2000-01 in English football
The 2000–01 season was the 121st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Manchester United secured their 3rd Premiership title in succession and their 7th title in just nine seasons...
season. He formed a strong left flank partnership with fellow Frenchman Laurent Robert
Laurent Robert
Laurent Robert is a former French footballer. He was a left winger, and has played for the French national football team....
, being a part of Sir Bobby Robson's side which finished 4th, 3rd and 5th as well as reaching the knockout rounds of the Uefa Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
and the semi finals of the Uefa Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
. l He was a regular starter at the beginning of the 2004-05 season, but Sir Bobby Robson was sacked on 28 August 2004 and replaced by Graeme Souness
Graeme Souness
Graeme James Souness is a Scottish former professional football player and manager.Souness was the captain of the successful Liverpool team of the early 1980s and player-manager of Rangers in the late 1980s as well as captain of the Scottish national team. He also played for Tottenham Hotspur,...
, who made drastic changes at the club, cutting star players like Craig Bellamy
Craig Bellamy
Craig Douglas Bellamy is a Welsh footballer who plays as a striker for Liverpool and the Welsh national team. Born in Cardiff, Bellamy was the captain of the Welsh national side for four years after taking over from Ryan Giggs in 2007, but stood down in January 2011 due to constant injuries...
and Laurent Robert
Laurent Robert
Laurent Robert is a former French footballer. He was a left winger, and has played for the French national football team....
.
Southampton
After a dispute over contract negotiations, Bernard left Newcastle on 31 January 2005 to join SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
on a five month contract.
When Southampton were relegated to the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
in 2005, Bernard's contract expired and was not renewed by the club.
Rangers
After leaving Southampton, Bernard signed a two-year deal with RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
on 1 September 2005 after turning down potential moves back to the Premier League with Birmingham City FC and Bolton Wanderers. He cited the prospect of playing in the Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
once again was a driving force for his move.
After just one season with Rangers, and only nine league appearances, he was released after being made surplus to requirements by new manager Paul Le Guen
Paul Le Guen
Paul Le Guen is a French football manager and former player. He was recently confirmed as new manager of the Oman national football team.Le Guen had a successful managerial career in France, most notably leading Olympique Lyonnais to three consecutive Ligue 1 titles. He has also managed Stade...
and was sent looking for new employers.
Return to Newcastle United
Newcastle fans had mixed opinions when Bernard re-signed for them on 1 September 2006 after reneging on an agreement to join Leeds UnitedLeeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
.
However, his second spell on Tyneside did not turn out as well as hoped, with Bernard struggling for fitness and a series of niggling injuries preventing him from making his second debut for Newcastle. The latest injury was reported to be a hip injury. He made numerous reserve team outings, and was an unused substitute in some Uefa Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
fixtures, including away to Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
and Levadia Tallinn. He never made an appearance for Newcastle during his injury hampered spell.
As a result of this, on 16 May 2007 it was announced that, following the appointment of Sam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce
Samuel "Sam" Allardyce , nicknamed "Big Sam", is an English football manager and former professional player. In June 2011 he was appointed as manager of West Ham United....
as Newcastle boss Bernard, along with Titus Bramble
Titus Bramble
Titus Malachi Bramble is an English footballer who plays for Sunderland as a defender. He is currently suspended by Sunderland after bring arrested for possession of a class A drug and sexual assault.-Ipswich Town:...
, Oguchi Onyewu
Oguchi Onyewu
Oguchialu Chijoke Onyewu also known as "Oguchi" Onyewu is an American soccer player who plays as a defender for Sporting Clube de Portugal, in Primeira Liga, and the United States national team. Onyewu also holds a Belgian passport....
, Craig Moore
Craig Moore
Craig Andrew Moore , is a retired Australian soccer defender.Moore is best known for his two spells with Scottish Premier Division / Scottish Premier League club Rangers...
, and Pavel Srníček
Pavel Srnícek
Pavel Srníček is a Czech former football goalkeeper.-Career:Srníček was originally signed by Newcastle in December 1990 on loan from Banik Ostrava by manager Jim Smith, who left within months to be succeeded by Ossie Ardiles - by this time his transfer had been made permanent, and he was soon...
would not be playing for the side the following season having been released from their contracts.
Retirement
He trained with Toronto FCToronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
to keep his fitness up in June 2008, mainly because he is friends with former Toronto midfielder Laurent Robert
Laurent Robert
Laurent Robert is a former French footballer. He was a left winger, and has played for the French national football team....
. He retired from football due to a hip injury. In a 2011 interview, he criticised manager Graeme Souness
Graeme Souness
Graeme James Souness is a Scottish former professional football player and manager.Souness was the captain of the successful Liverpool team of the early 1980s and player-manager of Rangers in the late 1980s as well as captain of the Scottish national team. He also played for Tottenham Hotspur,...
' man management and blamed him for the death of his career. Bernard's injury will require an operation eventually, but he is prolonging it despite the pain. He may never be able to run or have full mobility again- living with a limp for the rest of his life is almost a certainty.. He now fights racism in football with Show Racism the Red Card
Show Racism The Red Card
Show Racism the Red Card is an anti-racism education charity, established in England in January 1996 to harness the high profile nature of footballers as anti-racist role models to educate against racism throughout society in the United Kingdom....
.