Gilbert Gress
Encyclopedia
Gilbert Gress is a French
football coach and a former football
player, he last managed RC Strasbourg
.
began his professional football career in the city of his birth with RC Strasbourg
, where the fans soon nicknamed him the “angel of la Meinau” (L'ange de la Meinau
; Engel von der Meinau, Meinau is the stadium of the club). Briefly after first playing for Strasbourg (May 1960) the team were relegated to the second division, but returned after one year to Division 1, where Gress played until 1966 and his departure to the VfB Stuttgart
. Strasbourg were at the time only in mid-table of the division, but won the 1966 Coupe de France
.
During his time in Germany, he was called-up for the first time to the France national football team
. During the 1970/71 season Gilbert Gress returned to his homeland and became with Olympique Marseille twice French champion. From 1973 to 1975 he came back to RC Strasbourg
, changed then for one year to Neuchâtel Xamax
in Switzerland and ended his playing career in 1977.
Gress completed 290 matches (201 for Strasbourg, 89 for Marseille) in France and scored 28 goals; in the federal league he came on 149 times.
, Gilbert Gress was not called to the FIFA World Cup 1966 in England by national coach Henri Guérin because Gress refused to shorten his long hair. Under the new coach Louis Dugauguez
, Gress was first called-up on 27 September 1967 (a 1-5 defeat against Germany
in Berlin). Altogether Gress played only three times in the France national football team
(1967, 1968 and 1971) and did not score any goals.
, and where he returned again in 1991 for three years. His popularity is expressed also in the establishment of a Gilbert Gress Fanclub. In addition, he worked in Belgium, Austria and in Switzerland, where in 16 years (including twelve with Neuchâtel Xamax
) he won two national championships and the cup. In 1998 he was appointed Swiss national football coach. A debate preceded his resignation over his wages as a national coach. In the meantime Gress had also accepted Swiss nationality. In June 2009, he was named RC Strasbourg
manager, his third stint as manager of the club. and was released after only two games on 12 August 2009.
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 coach and a former 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...
player, he last managed 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...
.
Playing career
This strikerStriker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
began his professional football career in the city of his birth with 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...
, where the fans soon nicknamed him the “angel of la Meinau” (L'ange de la Meinau
Stade de la Meinau
The Stade de la Meinau, commonly known as "La Meinau" is a football stadium in Strasbourg, France. It is the home ground of RC Strasbourg and has also hosted international matches, including one game of World cup 1938, two games of Euro 1984 and the final of the Cup Winners' Cup in 1988. La Meinau...
; Engel von der Meinau, Meinau is the stadium of the club). Briefly after first playing for Strasbourg (May 1960) the team were relegated to the second division, but returned after one year to Division 1, where Gress played until 1966 and his departure to the VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
. Strasbourg were at the time only in mid-table of the division, but won the 1966 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...
.
During his time in Germany, he was called-up for the first time to the France national football 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...
. During the 1970/71 season Gilbert Gress returned to his homeland and became with Olympique Marseille twice French champion. From 1973 to 1975 he came back to 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...
, changed then for one year to Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax Football Club is a Swiss football club, based in Neuchâtel. It was created in 1970 through a merger between FC Cantonal and FC Xamax . The club plays in red shirts, black shorts and red socks and are currently in the Axpo Super League, the highest Swiss football league. They play...
in Switzerland and ended his playing career in 1977.
Gress completed 290 matches (201 for Strasbourg, 89 for Marseille) in France and scored 28 goals; in the federal league he came on 149 times.
National player
In 1966, after having won the Coupe de FranceCoupe 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...
, Gilbert Gress was not called to the FIFA World Cup 1966 in England by national coach Henri Guérin because Gress refused to shorten his long hair. Under the new coach Louis Dugauguez
Louis Dugauguez
Louis Dugauguez was French former footballer and football manager.-Career:Louis Dugauguez played amateur football for Bully, Béthune, Lens, Toulouse, Carvin and Sedan, where he began his coaching career as a player-coach of the side.-Coaching career:He managed Sedan and led the team to success in...
, Gress was first called-up on 27 September 1967 (a 1-5 defeat against Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
in Berlin). Altogether Gress played only three times in the France national football 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...
(1967, 1968 and 1971) and did not score any goals.
Coaching career
Since 1977 Gress has worked as a football manager, and it's hardly surprising that he received his first job in his home town at Racing Strasbourg, where he had won the 1979 French championshipLigue 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....
, and where he returned again in 1991 for three years. His popularity is expressed also in the establishment of a Gilbert Gress Fanclub. In addition, he worked in Belgium, Austria and in Switzerland, where in 16 years (including twelve with Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax Football Club is a Swiss football club, based in Neuchâtel. It was created in 1970 through a merger between FC Cantonal and FC Xamax . The club plays in red shirts, black shorts and red socks and are currently in the Axpo Super League, the highest Swiss football league. They play...
) he won two national championships and the cup. In 1998 he was appointed Swiss national football coach. A debate preceded his resignation over his wages as a national coach. In the meantime Gress had also accepted Swiss nationality. In June 2009, he was named 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...
manager, his third stint as manager of the club. and was released after only two games on 12 August 2009.
Coaching titles
- French championshipLigue 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....
: 1979 (with Strasbourg) - Swiss Super LeagueSwiss Super LeagueThe Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
: 1987, 1988 (with Neuchâtel) - Schweizer CupSchweizer CupThe Swiss Cup is a football cup tournament that has been organised annually since 1926 by the Swiss Football Association . The winner is allowed to take part in the UEFA Europa League. Between 2003 and 2008 the cup has been sponsored and known as the Swisscom Cup.-Finals:All played...
: 2000 (with FC Zurich)