Paul Frantz
Encyclopedia
Paul Frantz is a former French
football
manager.
teacher, he never played as a professional, a fact that did nor prevent him from earning his 3rd level manager degree - necessary to coach pro teams in France
- as valedictorian
in 1958. He was the first manager with no experience as a pro player to do that. After several spells with amateur teams, he was named manager of RC Strasbourg
in 1964. He led the Strasbourg team to a good run in the Inter-Cities Fairs cup in 1964-1965 ousting AC Milan and FC Barcelona
before falling to Manchester United in the quarter finals. A year later, he led the Strasbourg side to victory in the Coupe de France
, defeating FC Nantes 1:0
. The following season, he was in charge of Karlsruher SC
and he remains to this date the only French to ever coach a Bundesliga
team. Back at Strasbourg in 1968, he occupied several positions including manager of the first team and director of football
until 1976. In 1968 as well, he turned down an offer to be manager of the National Team
. He also managed FC Mulhouse
in 1974.
, Roger Lemerre and Guy Roux. In Alsace, he also was influential in Arsène Wenger
's development as a manager. In 2001, he was the recipient of the "Trophée Georges Boulogne" to honour his achievements as an educator and trainer.
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...
football
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...
manager.
Career
A physical educationPhysical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
teacher, he never played as a professional, a fact that did nor prevent him from earning his 3rd level manager degree - necessary to coach pro teams in France
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...
- as valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian is an academic title conferred upon the student who delivers the closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony. Usually, the valedictorian is the highest ranked student among those graduating from an educational institution...
in 1958. He was the first manager with no experience as a pro player to do that. After several spells with amateur teams, he was named manager of RC Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
in 1964. He led the Strasbourg team to a good run in the Inter-Cities Fairs cup in 1964-1965 ousting AC Milan and FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
before falling to Manchester United in the quarter finals. A year later, he led the Strasbourg side to victory in the Coupe de France
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
, defeating FC Nantes 1:0
Coupe de France Final 1966
The Coupe de France Final 1966 was a football match held at Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Colombes on May 22, 1966, that saw RC Strasbourg defeat FC Nantes 1-0 thanks to a goal by Pierre Sbaiz.-Context:...
. The following season, he was in charge of Karlsruher SC
Karlsruher SC
Karlsruher SC is a German association football club, based in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg. KSC rose out of the consolidation of a number of predecessor clubs. They currently play in the 2...
and he remains to this date the only French to ever coach a Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
team. Back at Strasbourg in 1968, he occupied several positions including manager of the first team and director of football
Director of football
"Director of football" is a term describing a senior management figure at a football club, most commonly used in Europe. The exact nature of the role is often unclear and extremely variable and causes much debate in the sports media...
until 1976. In 1968 as well, he turned down an offer to be manager of the National Team
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
. He also managed FC Mulhouse
FC Mulhouse
Football Club de Mulhouse is a French association football club based in Mulhouse. The club was founded in 1893 and currently play in the Championnat de France amateur, the fourth level of French football. Mulhouse plays its home matches at the Stade de l'Ill located within the city...
in 1974.
Impact on training in France
Frantz is also renowned for his talents as a coaching trainer and is considered to be one of the iniators of the "scientific approach" to training in France. He was among the first to emphasize physical training and to introduce the use of body-building. During the 1970s he was responsible of the formation organized for aspiring pro managers by the Fédération Française de Football where he taught the likes of Aimé JacquetAimé Jacquet
Aimé Étienne Jacquet is a French football coach and former player, and manager of the France national football team when they won the 1998 FIFA World Cup.-Biography:...
, Roger Lemerre and Guy Roux. In Alsace, he also was influential in Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger, OBE is a French association football manager and former player, who has managed English Premier League side Arsenal since 1996...
's development as a manager. In 2001, he was the recipient of the "Trophée Georges Boulogne" to honour his achievements as an educator and trainer.