Former Moroccan, French, and Ivorian Stars to Honor Late Coach Henri Michel in Nantes Tournament

Henri Michel left his mark on French and African football. It is therefore to pay tribute to him that several stars of the round ball will meet in Nantes, France, on June 29 for a tournament. Ouest France, which provides the information, writes that the said tournament will also bring together former international players from the French and Ivorian national teams, selections that Henri Michel has already coached. On the French side, the French daily cites Laurent Blanc, Youri Djorkaeff, Éric Carrière, or Mickaël Landreau. Regarding the former Ivorian internationals, we note Kader Keita, Emerse Faé, Aruna Dindane, Bonaventure Kalou and Bakary Koné.

While these players will be present for this tournament, Ouest France states that "other big names in French football are awaiting confirmation, including among others, Fabien Barthez, Lilian Thuram, Claude Makélélé, Robert Pirès, Didier Deschamps..." to name only a few.

Henri Michel, who had a brilliant football career, became a coach in 1982, leading the French Olympic national team with which he won a gold medal. This was followed by the French national football team for four years, and the largest club in the capital, Paris Saint-Germain. He then went to Africa to coach several national teams, including those of Cameroon, Tunisia, Ivory Coast and Morocco. At the head of the Atlas Lions from 1995 to 2000 and from 2007 to 2008, Ouest France reports that the French coach "will wear the colors of Morocco, a country to which he has a particular love, until the 1998 World Cup". And to add that "with the players of the Raja Casablanca club that he will also have the happiness to lead, Henri Michel will be champion of Morocco in 2004 and champion of Africa of clubs in 2003".

Ouest France indicates that the profits from this tournament, organized by the association "À la Nantaise" and the Club of French Internationals, "will be used to finance a statue in memory of Henri Michel, a figure of French and African football".