Lionel Letizi
Encyclopedia
Lionel Letizi is a French
former professional football goalkeeper. He played 4 matches for the France national team
.
where he won the French second division
in 1994. Upon reaching the French first division
he was spotted by a number of clubs before joining FC Metz
in 1996. At Metz he was a runner-up in the French first division
in 1998 and finalist of the French League Cup
in 1999. The chance to take a step up arrived when he joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2000 in order to be able to play in the Champions’ League
. Although capped 4 times for the French national team he never managed to displace Fabien Barthez
. He remained first choice at PSG for 6 years, but the signing of Mickael Landreau
led him to seek a move.
On 13 August 2006 his blunder led directly to Dunfermline
's equaliser in a stale 1–1 draw. Letizi recovered in the next game and helped Rangers to a 2–0 win over Hearts
before succumbing to injury. After 2 months on the sidelines, Letizi controversially made an automatic return to the side despite impressive performances from his replacement Allan McGregor
.
Manager Paul Le Guen
had made it clear at the start of the season that Letizi was going to be number one and, as such, this was not entirely unexpected. But the decision was questioned when another fumble on 14 October 2006 gave Inverness Caledonian Thistle
a shock 1–0 win at Ibrox
and left Rangers trailing Celtic by 10 points after just ten SPL games. Letizi was heavily booed in some quarters by the fans but defended by others.
After the departure of Le Guen, Letizi's future at Rangers appeared uncertain and he was released from his contract with the club on 30 January 2007. Letizi had not played since October 2006 and featured in just eight matches in his six month stay, keeping only one clean sheet in that time. He subsequently joined his first club, OGC Nice
.
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...
former professional football goalkeeper. He played 4 matches for the France 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...
.
France
He took his first steps as a professional player with OGC NiceOGC Nice
Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top-tier of French football. Nice plays its home matches at the Stade Municipal du Ray located within the city. In 2013, the club is...
where he won 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 1994. Upon reaching the French first division
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....
he was spotted by a number of clubs before joining 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...
in 1996. At Metz he was a runner-up in the French first division
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....
in 1998 and finalist of the French League Cup
Coupe de la Ligue
The Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel...
in 1999. The chance to take a step up arrived when he joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2000 in order to be able to play 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...
. Although capped 4 times for the French national team he never managed to displace Fabien Barthez
Fabien Barthez
Fabien Alain Barthez is a former French footballer goalkeeper who won honours with Manchester United and the French national team, with whom he won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000 and reached the final of the 2006 World Cup. He shares the record for the most World Cup finals clean sheets...
. He remained first choice at PSG for 6 years, but the signing of Mickael Landreau
Mickaël Landreau
Mickaël Vincent André-Marie Landreau is a French professional football goalkeeper, who currently plays for French Ligue 1 side Lille OSC. He has 11 caps for the French national team.-Club career:...
led him to seek a move.
Move to Scotland
On 16 June 2006 he completed a move to Rangers on a free transfer.On 13 August 2006 his blunder led directly to Dunfermline
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
's equaliser in a stale 1–1 draw. Letizi recovered in the next game and helped Rangers to a 2–0 win over Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
before succumbing to injury. After 2 months on the sidelines, Letizi controversially made an automatic return to the side despite impressive performances from his replacement Allan McGregor
Allan McGregor
Allan James McGregor is a Scottish association footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Rangers and the Scotland national team...
.
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...
had made it clear at the start of the season that Letizi was going to be number one and, as such, this was not entirely unexpected. But the decision was questioned when another fumble on 14 October 2006 gave Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club are a Scottish football club from Inverness who compete in the Scottish Premier League. They are currently managed by Terry Butcher and assistant manager Maurice Malpas...
a shock 1–0 win at Ibrox
Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium is a football stadium located on the south side of the River Clyde, on Edmiston Drive in the Ibrox district of Glasgow. It is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Rangers and has an all-seated capacity of 51,082...
and left Rangers trailing Celtic by 10 points after just ten SPL games. Letizi was heavily booed in some quarters by the fans but defended by others.
After the departure of Le Guen, Letizi's future at Rangers appeared uncertain and he was released from his contract with the club on 30 January 2007. Letizi had not played since October 2006 and featured in just eight matches in his six month stay, keeping only one clean sheet in that time. He subsequently joined his first club, OGC Nice
OGC Nice
Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top-tier of French football. Nice plays its home matches at the Stade Municipal du Ray located within the city. In 2013, the club is...
.
Honours
- 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...
: 2004, 2006 Paris Saint-Germain - French 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...
champion: 1994, OGC NiceOGC NiceOlympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top-tier of French football. Nice plays its home matches at the Stade Municipal du Ray located within the city. In 2013, the club is... - Finalist of the French League CupCoupe de la LigueThe Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel...
: 1999, FC MetzFC MetzFootball 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... - 4 selections with the French national teamFrance national football teamThe 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...
(debut on 11 October 1997 against South AfricaSouth Africa national football teamThe South Africa national football team represents South Africa in association football and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. South Africa's home ground is Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium due to a naming rights deal, in...
in a 2–1 win)