For over a decade, Christophe Galtier has built a very solid reputation within Ligue 1 managers. From the impact he had at Saint-Etienne to the title he gave to Lille, every football fan knows “Galette”. As his arrival at OGC Nice will continue being a discussion point for you for the upcoming weeks, OGCNice.com are giving you some extra pointers about the new man…

Christophe is a winner

“Since his arrival at Lille in December 2017, Christophe Galtier has won more games in Ligue 1 than any other manager (66)”. Opta’s statistic shows the coach’s success up in the North.

As well as his 66 wins in the league with Dogues, he won 12 other games: 9 in domestic cups (7 in the Coupe de France and 2 in the Coupe de la Ligue), and 3 in the Europa League including a fantastic 3-0 victory over AC Milan in the San Siro on 5 November last year. That was more than enough to conquer the Lille fans’ hearts, who saw him as a real club icon. One of the MPs – Lucas Fournier, not related to Julien Fournier – even proposed to name a street in Lille the “Christophe Galtier rue”. We wait and see…

3 titles…

Despite winning the Ligue 1 title for the first time last May 23, Christophe Galtier had won a trophy as Saint-Etienne manager.

After knocking Lorient, Sochaux, PSG and Lille out, les Verts won the first Coupe de la Ligue in their history by dominating Stade Rennais, thanks to a goal from the Brazilian Brandão (1-0). A win that put an end to a 32-year spell without a trophy for the ASSE, who haven’t added to their trophy cabinet since that 23 April 2013.

These two trophies as a manager added to one trophy won as a player. The former defender, who recorded nearly 400 games as a professional, began his career with continental success. Alongside Éric Cantona, Laurent Blanc and Franck Sauzée, the Marseille native won the U21 Euros in 1988 as a starter. It’s still to this day the only major title won by the Bleuets.

… and 3 awards!

Started back in 1987, the UNFP trophies enabled football’s finest to get awards for their successes, like the “best manager” award. Christophe Galtier won that very award on three occasions by his peers: in 2021 and 2020 with the LOSC as well as in 2013 with Saint-Etienne (shared with Parisian manager Carlo Ancelotti).

Only one other coach has won that award as many times: Laurent Blanc (Bordeaux, PSG x2).

In the top 4 for games as manager in Ligue 1

With 411 Ligue 1 games as manager, Christophe Galtier is the 4th manager with the most matches as manager in the league.

The first place is held by Claude Puel with 635 games at the head of a top flight team, the podium being composed of Frédéric Antonetti (578) and Antoine Kombouaré (426). Alain Perrin’s former assistant (at Lyon and Saint-Etienne) managed 278 Ligue 1 games with the ASSE and 123 with the LOSC (+1 with OM, alongside Albert Emon, during the 2000-01 season).

A shared disappointment

We’re ending this piece with a reaction as painful as emotional; In a press conference on the night of the Notre-Dame de Nice cathedral terrorist attack, Christophe Galtier wanted to share his pain and support.

Very emotional, the man who got a draw away to Celtic with Lille (2-2), shared his “condolences to all the families and friends of those who were cowardly killed today, in a church (…). Believe me that it was a difficult day personally. If I could have stopped working, I would have done so, because outside of the sanitary crisis, living such moments in our beautiful country, it’s very difficult believe me (…) Once more all my support to all of the people’s family and friends… cowardly killed, and also to the people of Nice, it’s a city that is often the target of attacks.”

A message that warmed a city and a club’s heart once more saddened by the barbaric actions.

F.Hill
Photos : Icon Sport

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