Daniel Leclercq facts for kids
Leclerq in 2011
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 4 September 1949 | ||
| Place of birth | Trith-Saint-Léger, France | ||
| Date of death | 22 November 2019 (aged 70) | ||
| Place of death | Martinique, France | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1961–1967 | Valenciennes | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1967–1970 | Valenciennes | 30 | (3) |
| 1970–1974 | Marseille | 75 | (4) |
| 1971–1972 | → Angoulême (loan) | 14 | (4) |
| 1974–1983 | Lens | 289 | (27) |
| 1983–1984 | Valenciennes | 33 | (2) |
| Total | 441 | (40) | |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1986–1987 | Valenciennes | ||
| 1997–1999 | Lens | ||
| 2001 | La Louvière | ||
| 2003–2005 | Valenciennes | ||
| 2009–2016 | Arleux-Fechain | ||
| 2017 | Douai | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Daniel Leclercq (born September 4, 1949 – died November 22, 2019) was a famous French football player and manager. He played as a defender for many years. He appeared in over 400 matches for clubs like Valenciennes, Marseille, and Lens. After his playing career, he became a very successful manager. He is especially remembered for leading Lens to their only Ligue 1 championship. This is the top football league in France.
Early Life and Playing Career
Daniel Leclercq was born on September 4, 1949, in Trith-Saint-Léger, France. He started his football journey in the youth system of Valenciennes. People called him "le Druide" (The Druid) because of his long, white hair. He played as a central defender throughout his entire career.
In 1967, Daniel Leclercq made his first appearance in Ligue 1 with Valenciennes. He then moved to Marseille in 1970. While at Marseille, he was part of a team that won the Ligue 1 championship twice. They won in the 1970–71 and 1971–72 seasons. He also helped Marseille win the 1972 Coupe de France and the 1972 Trophée des Champions.
In 1974, Leclercq began a long and important part of his career with Lens. He played nine of his 17 seasons with this club. During his time at Lens, he played in 289 matches and scored 27 goals. After leaving Lens, he played one more season with his hometown club, Valenciennes, before he retired as a player.
Managerial Career
After his playing days, Daniel Leclercq became a football manager. His first managing job was with Valenciennes in 1986, where he stayed for one season.
His greatest success came when he was hired by Lens in 1997. In the 1997–1998 season, he led the club to its only Ligue 1 championship. They won by beating FC Metz based on goal differential, which means they scored more goals overall. His team also reached the 1998 Coupe de France Final, but they lost to Paris Saint-Germain F.C.
In the 1998–99 UEFA Champions League, Lens played in the group stage. Even though they did not move on to the next round, the French team famously defeated Arsenal F.C. at Wembley Stadium. In 1999, he achieved another honor by winning the 1999 Coupe de la Ligue before leaving the team. He later returned to manage Valenciennes for two more seasons starting in 2003.
Daniel Leclercq passed away in Martinique on November 22, 2019. He was 70 years old.
