Willy Sagnol appointed new assistant coach

FC Bayern München have added to their coaching staff for the forthcoming season. Willy Sagnol will join head coach Carlo Ancelotti and assistant coach Davide Ancelotti from 1 July 2017. The 40-year-old former France international, who became a fans’ favourite and enjoyed much success during his time as a Bayern player from 2000 to 2009, winning the Champions League in 2001, has signed a two-year contract.

“Having lost two of my assistants with Paul Clement leaving during the winter break and Hermann Gerland leaving at the end of the season, I expressed to the board my wish that a new assistant coach be appointed,” said Carlo Ancelotti. During discussions, the 57 year-old made it clear he wanted a former FC Bayern player with a certain level of experience as a coach. “Willy Sagnol ticks both these boxes, and I’m very much looking forward to working with him,” declared Ancelotti.

Willy Sagnol commented: “It’s a great honour for me to be chosen by Carlo Ancelotti, one of the best and most experienced coaches in the world, and I’m really looking forward to working in his coaching team.”

Sagnol, who joined Bayern as a defender in 2000 from French champions Monaco, made 184 Bundesliga appearances for the club, becoming an Intercontinental Cup and Champions League winner in 2001 as well as winning the German title five times and the DFB Cup on four occasions. In 2009 the father of four was forced to end his playing career due to injury.

After hanging up his boots, the 2006 World Cup runner-up worked as a TV pundit and as a functionary for both his hometown club Saint-Étienne and the French Football Federation. He then coached the French U21 side from 2013 to 2014 and was head coach of Ligue 1 side Bordeaux from 2014 to 2016. “I’m delighted to move back to Munich with my family.”