Luis Fernandez facts for kids
Fernandez in 2009
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 2 October 1959 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Tarifa, Spain | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.78 m | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Defensive midfielder | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1968–1970 | HAVE Minguettes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1970–1978 | Saint-Priest | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1978–1986 | Paris Saint-Germain | 225 | (30) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1986–1989 | RC Paris | 59 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1989–1993 | Cannes | 93 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 377 | (38) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1982–1992 | France | 60 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Teams managed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1992–1994 | Cannes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1994–1996 | Paris Saint-Germain | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996–2000 | Athletic Bilbao | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2003 | Paris Saint-Germain | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003–2004 | Espanyol | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | Al-Rayyan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2006 | Beitar Jerusalem | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2007 | Real Betis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008–2009 | Reims | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–2011 | Israel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015–2016 | Guinea | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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Luis Miguel Fernández Toledo (born 2 October 1959), known as Luis Fernandez, is a French football manager and former player. He played as a defensive midfielder, which means he helped protect his team's goal.
Fernandez played most of his career for Paris Saint-Germain. He played 60 games for the French national team between 1982 and 1992, scoring 6 goals. He was part of the teams that won UEFA Euro 1984 and finished third at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
After retiring as a player, Fernandez became a manager. He managed PSG twice, winning several awards in France and Europe. He also managed other teams like Cannes, Reims in France, and Athletic Bilbao, Espanyol, and Real Betis in Spain.
Playing Career Highlights
Starting His Football Journey
Luis Fernandez was born in Tarifa, Spain. When he was nine years old, he moved to France with his family. He started playing football at a club called AS Minguettes. In 1981, he became a French citizen. At 19, he signed his first professional contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
Moving to Other Clubs
After the 1986 FIFA World Cup, Fernandez joined Racing Club de Paris. Even though the team looked strong, they didn't do well. He left Racing after three seasons.
In 1989, Fernandez moved to Cannes, a smaller club. Cannes was moved down to Ligue 2 (a lower league) in 1992. But Fernandez decided to stay. A few weeks later, Cannes made him their manager. So, he finished the season as a player-manager, helping Cannes get back to Division 1 (the top league). After that, he stopped playing professionally to focus on being a full-time manager.
Playing for France
Fernandez quickly became known for winning the ball and making good passes. In 1982, he was called up to play for the French national team. He played his first game against the Netherlands on 10 November 1982. At 23, he became an important part of the team.
He played in the midfield with famous French players like Jean Tigana, Alain Giresse, and Michel Platini. This group was known as the "magic square." With the national team, Fernandez helped France win UEFA Euro 1984 at home. They also reached the semi-finals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
Even when he wasn't as fast as before, Fernandez was still part of the French team. He would often come into games later to help secure a win. He helped France qualify for UEFA Euro 1992. After Euro 1992, where France was eliminated early, Fernandez decided to stop playing for the national team.
Managerial Career
Leading AS Cannes
After helping Cannes get promoted, Fernandez continued as their manager. He led the team to qualify for the UEFA Cup, a European competition. In 1994, he was named Manager of the Year. People liked his attacking style of play and how he used young players. Paris Saint-Germain was very interested in him.
Success at Paris Saint-Germain
In the 1994–95 UEFA Champions League, Fernandez's PSG team reached the semi-finals. They beat FC Barcelona, a very strong team. That same year, his team won the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue, two French cups.
Even after losing key players, PSG won their first European trophy, the 1995–96 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, against Rapid Vienna.
Managing Athletic Bilbao
From 1996 to 2000, Fernandez managed Athletic Bilbao in Spain's top league, La Liga. In the 1997–98 season, he led the team to finish second in the league, which meant they qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
Second Time at Paris Saint-Germain
Fernandez returned to PSG in December 2000. He helped the team improve their league position. They also won the 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup, another European competition.
In March 2003, Fernandez announced he would leave PSG at the end of the season. In the game before his announcement, his team won a big match against Marseille 3–0.
Saving Espanyol from Relegation
On 4 November 2003, Fernandez was hired by Espanyol, a Spanish team that was in last place. He helped them avoid being moved down to a lower league. They secured their spot in the top league with a 2–0 win in the final game of the season.
Managing in Qatar and Israel
In 2005, Fernandez briefly managed Al-Rayyan in Qatar. Later that year, he moved to Israel to manage Beitar Jerusalem. He led the team to third place in the league, which qualified them for the UEFA Cup.
Time at Real Betis
Fernandez joined Real Betis in Spain during the 2006–07 season. He managed the team for 26 matches. He left the club in June 2007.
Stade de Reims and National Teams
Fernandez joined Stade de Reims in France's second league in 2008. However, he could not prevent the team from being moved down to a lower league.
On 21 March 2010, Fernandez became the manager of the Israel national team. He stayed for 18 months but the team did not qualify for UEFA Euro 2012.
On 29 April 2015, Fernandez signed a contract to manage the Guinea national team. He left the team in May 2016 due to disagreements within their football federation.
Honours
Player
Paris Saint-Germain
- French Division 1: 1985–86
- Coupe de France: 1981–82, 1982–83
France
- UEFA European Championship: 1984
- Artemio Franchi Cup: 1985
Individual
- French Player of the Year: 1985
- Étoile d'Or: 1986
- World XI: 1986, 1987
Manager
Paris Saint-Germain
- Coupe de France: 1994–95
- Coupe de la Ligue: 1994–95
- Trophée des Champions: 1995
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1995–96
- UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2001
See also
In Spanish: Luis Fernández (fútbol) para niños
