Claude Le Roy
Encyclopedia
Claude Le Roy is a French football manager and former player, who gained prominence at international level as coach to the Senegal
and Ghana
national teams. In 2008, he signed a deal with the Omani national football team
and in 2009, he signed a second 4-year contract with the team.
Le Roy has had a varied managerial career, starting out at the small French
club Amiens SC
, after taking over as manager when his playing days ended. His achievements in leading the Cameroon national team
to be runners-up in the 1986 African Cup of Nations
, and then champions in the 1988 competition
, are often cited as his greatest managerial accomplishments. He then took charge of Senegal
when they reached the quarterfinals at the 1992 African Cup of Nations
, and returned to Cameroon to lead them during the 1998 World Cup
.
After undertaking the role of football adviser at AC Milan in 1996, Le Roy had a spell as Director of Football
at Paris Saint-Germain
in 1997-98. Le Roy became manager of Cambridge United
for a short spell in 2004, although he only ever signed a "moral contract", and now claims he was only ever assisting his prodigy Herve Renard: "I was just helping out a friend [then-manager Hervé Renard], but we saved that club". Following his departure from Cambridge, Le Roy was appointed as the head coach of the DR Congo
. In September 2006, Le Roy was named by the Ghana Football Association
as coach of the Ghana national football team
.
In February 2008, Le Roy led Ghana to 14th position in the FIFA World Rankings
, their highest position ever, but quit the post in May 2008.
He started coaching the Oman national football team
in July 2008. Oman desperately needed a solid coach after disappointing Gulf Cup
and Asian Cup performances, and Le Roy led them to victory in the 19th Gulf Cup of Nations
held in January 2009 Muscat
. During the competition Le Roy extended his deal with Oman for a further 4 years.
He became the new coach of the Syria national football team
in March 2011, but resigned in May of the same year.
Senegal national football team
The Senegal national football team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, is the national team of Senegal and is controlled by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football...
and Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
national teams. In 2008, he signed a deal with the Omani national football team
Oman national football team
The Oman national football team is the national team of Oman. Although the team was officially founded in 1978, the squad was formed long before, and has established a proper football association in only December, 2005...
and in 2009, he signed a second 4-year contract with the team.
Le Roy has had a varied managerial career, starting out at the small French
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...
club Amiens SC
Amiens SC
Amiens Sporting Club is a French association football club based in Amiens. The club was formed in 1901 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. The club plays its home matches at the Stade de la Licorne located within the city...
, after taking over as manager when his playing days ended. His achievements in leading the Cameroon national team
Cameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
to be runners-up in the 1986 African Cup of Nations
1986 African Cup of Nations
The 1986 African Cup of Nations was the 15th edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Egypt. Just like in 1984, the field of eight teams was split into two groups of four...
, and then champions in the 1988 competition
1988 African Cup of Nations
The 1988 African Cup of Nations was the 16th edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Morocco, who replaced original host Zambia. Just like in 1986, the field of eight teams was split into two groups of four. The tournament final was held in...
, are often cited as his greatest managerial accomplishments. He then took charge of Senegal
Senegal national football team
The Senegal national football team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, is the national team of Senegal and is controlled by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football...
when they reached the quarterfinals at the 1992 African Cup of Nations
1992 African Cup of Nations
The 1992 African Cup of Nations was the 18th edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Senegal. The field expanded to twelve teams, split into four groups of three; the top two teams in each group advanced to the quarterfinals...
, and returned to Cameroon to lead them during the 1998 World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
.
After undertaking the role of football adviser at AC Milan in 1996, Le Roy had a spell as 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...
at Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain FC
Paris Saint-Germain Football Club , also known simply as Paris Saint-Germain and familiarly as Paris SG or PSG , is a professional association football club based in Paris, France. The club was founded on 12 August 1970, thanks to the merger of Paris FC and Stade Saint-Germain...
in 1997-98. Le Roy became manager of Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
for a short spell in 2004, although he only ever signed a "moral contract", and now claims he was only ever assisting his prodigy Herve Renard: "I was just helping out a friend [then-manager Hervé Renard], but we saved that club". Following his departure from Cambridge, Le Roy was appointed as the head coach of the DR Congo
Congo DR national football team
The Congo DR national football team is the national team of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is controlled by the Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association , and are nicknamed The Leopards.Congo have been ranked as high as 51 in the FIFA Rankings...
. In September 2006, Le Roy was named by the Ghana Football Association
Ghana Football Association
The Ghana Football Association is the governing body of association football in Ghana, based in Accra.-Amateur Status:It is on record that the game of Football was introduced into the Gold Coast towards the close of the 19th century by Merchants from Europe, who had then invaded the coastal areas...
as coach of the Ghana national football team
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
.
In February 2008, Le Roy led Ghana to 14th position in the FIFA World Rankings
FIFA World Rankings
The FIFA World Rankings is a ranking system for men's national teams in association football, currently led by Spain. The teams of the member nations of FIFA , football's world governing body, are ranked based on their game results with the most successful teams being ranked highest...
, their highest position ever, but quit the post in May 2008.
He started coaching the Oman national football team
Oman national football team
The Oman national football team is the national team of Oman. Although the team was officially founded in 1978, the squad was formed long before, and has established a proper football association in only December, 2005...
in July 2008. Oman desperately needed a solid coach after disappointing Gulf Cup
Gulf Cup of Nations
The Gulf Cup of Nations , also known as Khaleeji followed by the edition of the games , is a football tournament currently held every two years rotating the host city every edition...
and Asian Cup performances, and Le Roy led them to victory in the 19th Gulf Cup of Nations
Gulf Cup of Nations
The Gulf Cup of Nations , also known as Khaleeji followed by the edition of the games , is a football tournament currently held every two years rotating the host city every edition...
held in January 2009 Muscat
Muscat, Oman
Muscat is the capital of Oman. It is also the seat of government and largest city in the Governorate of Muscat. As of 2008, the population of the Muscat metropolitan area was 1,090,797. The metropolitan area spans approximately and includes six provinces called wilayats...
. During the competition Le Roy extended his deal with Oman for a further 4 years.
He became the new coach of the Syria national football team
Syria national football team
The Syria national football team represents Syria in association football and is controlled by the Syrian Football Association, the governing body for football in Syria. Syria's home grounds are Abbasiyyin Stadium and Aleppo International Stadium...
in March 2011, but resigned in May of the same year.