Franck Silvestre
Encyclopedia
Franck Silvestre is a retired French
footballer who played as a central defender.
During his career, spent in two countries and with six different clubs, he played in more than 700 official games. A French international
during three years, Silvestre represented the nation at Euro 1992.
, Silvestre began his professional career at FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
in 1985. An undisputed first-choice when he was just 18, he saw the club be relegated into the French second division
in 1987, but it immediately gained promotion to the top level
, also reaching the French Cup
final the next year, lost against FC Metz
. The player topped a great 1988 winning the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
with France U21s
.
In 1989 Silvestre, who did not play for a big team, received his first senior
callup from national team boss Michel Platini
, making his international debut against the Republic of Ireland
; he was also selected for UEFA Euro 1992, but remained on the bench as the national side exited on the group stage - he gained a total of 11 caps
, the last coming exactly in 1992.
Silvestre signed in the 1993 summer for Guy Roux's AJ Auxerre
, making up for William Prunier
's departure. During his years in the team, which featured Dutch
Frank Verlaat
, Laurent Blanc
and Frédéric Danjou
, he won two domestic cups and one league, including the historic 1995–96 double, also appearing in the UEFA Champions League
.
In 1998, Silvestre moved to Montpellier HSC
, where he again was an undisputed starter, also eventually becoming team captain. In his third year, he helped the side return to the top division, after netting a career-best nine goals (in 33 matches); eventually, in January 2003, he left for SC Bastia
, contributing to a comfortable escape from relegation.
Aged already 36, Silvestre had his first abroad experience, joining SK Sturm Graz
in Austria
, where he continued to appear regularly, albeit without no silveware conquered. In January 2006, he signed for his last club, second division's FC Sète
, not managing to help the club maintain its league status, and retiring with a total of 638 league matches played.
, Mikaël
, was also a footballer - and a defender. During his career, he played notably for Arsenal
and Manchester United
, also gaining nearly 50 international caps.
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 who played as a central defender.
During his career, spent in two countries and with six different clubs, he played in more than 700 official games. A French international
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...
during three years, Silvestre represented the nation at Euro 1992.
Football career
Born in ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, Silvestre began his professional career at FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city...
in 1985. An undisputed first-choice when he was just 18, he saw the club be relegated into the French second division
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
in 1987, but it immediately gained promotion to the top level
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
, also reaching the French Cup
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...
final the next year, lost against FC Metz
FC Metz
Football Club de Metz, commonly referred to as simply Metz , is a French association football club based in Metz. The club was formed in 1932 and has spent most of its history in the Ligue 1, though they currently play in Ligue 2, the second level in French football league system. Metz plays its...
. The player topped a great 1988 winning the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
The European Under-21 Football Championship is a football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. It is held every two years. The competition has existed in its current form since 1978. It was preceded by the Under 23 Challenge Cup which ran from 1967 to 1970...
with France U21s
France national under-21 football team
The France national under-21 football team , known in France as Les Espoirs , is the national under-21 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
.
In 1989 Silvestre, who did not play for a big team, received his first senior
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...
callup from national team boss Michel Platini
Michel Platini
Michel François Platini is a former French football player, manager and current president of UEFA. Platini was a member of the French national team that won the 1984 European Championship, a tournament in which he was the top goalscorer and voted the best player. He participated in the 1978, 1982...
, making his international debut against the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
; he was also selected for UEFA Euro 1992, but remained on the bench as the national side exited on the group stage - he gained a total of 11 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
, the last coming exactly in 1992.
Silvestre signed in the 1993 summer for Guy Roux's AJ Auxerre
AJ Auxerre
Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise is a French association football club based in the commune of Auxerre in Burgundy. The club was founded in 1905 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Auxerre plays its home matches at the Stade l'Abbé-Deschamps on the banks of the...
, making up for William Prunier
William Prunier
William Prunier is a French former footballer. He played in the centre back position.-Career:Prunier was a product of a famous AJ Auxerre youth team which also included Eric Cantona, Basile Boli, Pascal Vahirua and Daniel Dutuel, all under the tutelage of Guy Roux...
's departure. During his years in the team, which featured Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
Frank Verlaat
Frank Verlaat
Frank Verlaat is a Dutch former international football defender, who retired in 2007, after a professional career of 21 years....
, Laurent Blanc
Laurent Blanc
Laurent Robert Blanc is a French association football manager and former player. He is the head coach of the French national team, having replaced Raymond Domenech in the wake of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He was previously the manager of Bordeaux...
and Frédéric Danjou
Frédéric Danjou
Frédéric Danjou is a French football defender currently unattached.- External links :*...
, he won two domestic cups and one league, including the historic 1995–96 double, also appearing in 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...
.
In 1998, Silvestre moved to Montpellier HSC
Montpellier HSC
Montpellier Hérault Sport Club is a French association football club based in the city of Montpellier. The club was founded in 1919 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Montpellier plays its home matches at the Stade de la Mosson, located within the city...
, where he again was an undisputed starter, also eventually becoming team captain. In his third year, he helped the side return to the top division, after netting a career-best nine goals (in 33 matches); eventually, in January 2003, he left for SC Bastia
SC Bastia
Sporting Club de Bastia is a French association football club based in Bastia on the island of Corsica. The club currently plays in the Championnat National, the third division of French football. Bastia previously had stints in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
, contributing to a comfortable escape from relegation.
Aged already 36, Silvestre had his first abroad experience, joining SK Sturm Graz
SK Sturm Graz
SK Sturm Graz is an Austrian association football club, based in Graz, Styria, playing in the Austrian Bundesliga. The club was founded in 1909 and the club colours are black and white....
in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, where he continued to appear regularly, albeit without no silveware conquered. In January 2006, he signed for his last club, second division's FC Sète
FC Sète
FC Sète 34 is a French football club based in Sète and founded in 1900. The club won the French league twice and the French cup also twice . In 1934 they became the first club to win the French league and cup double....
, not managing to help the club maintain its league status, and retiring with a total of 638 league matches played.
Club
- SochauxFC Sochaux-MontbéliardFootball Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city...
:- Second DivisionLigue 2Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
: 1987–88 - French CupCoupe de FranceThe 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...
: Runner-up 1987–88
- Second Division
- AuxerreAJ AuxerreAssociation de la Jeunesse Auxerroise is a French association football club based in the commune of Auxerre in Burgundy. The club was founded in 1905 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Auxerre plays its home matches at the Stade l'Abbé-Deschamps on the banks of the...
:- French LeagueLigue 1Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
: 1995–96 - French CupCoupe de FranceThe 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...
: 1993–94, 1995–96
- French League
Country
- France U21France national under-21 football teamThe France national under-21 football team , known in France as Les Espoirs , is the national under-21 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
:- UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipUEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe European Under-21 Football Championship is a football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. It is held every two years. The competition has existed in its current form since 1978. It was preceded by the Under 23 Challenge Cup which ran from 1967 to 1970...
: 19881988 UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe UEFA U-21 Championship 1988, which spanned two years , had 30 entrants. The Republic of Ireland competed for the first time. France U-21s won the competition....
- UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
Personal
Silvestre's cousinCousin
In kinship terminology, a cousin is a relative with whom one shares one or more common ancestors. The term is rarely used when referring to a relative in one's immediate family where there is a more specific term . The term "blood relative" can be used synonymously and establishes the existence of...
, Mikaël
Mikael Silvestre
Mikaël Samy Silvestre is a French international footballer. He plays as defender and is currently signed with Werder Bremen of the Bundesliga. He has also played for the French national team...
, was also a footballer - and a defender. During his career, he played notably for Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
and Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, also gaining nearly 50 international caps.