Luis Fernandez facts for kids
Fernandez in 2009
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Luis Miguel Fernández Toledo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 2 October 1959 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Tarifa, Spain | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Defensive midfielder | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1968–1970 | AS 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) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1982–1992 | France | 60 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Managerial career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.
Fernandez played most of his career for Paris Saint-Germain. He played 60 games for the France national team between 1982 and 1992. He was part of the teams that won UEFA Euro 1984 and finished third at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
After his playing career, Fernandez became a manager. He managed PSG twice, winning several awards. He also managed teams like Cannes, Reims, Athletic Bilbao, Espanyol, and Real Betis.
Playing Career Highlights
Luis Fernandez was a talented player known for winning the ball and making accurate passes. He became a French citizen in 1981.
Club Football Journey
Fernandez was born in Tarifa, Spain. He moved to France with his family when he was nine years old. He started playing football at AS Minguettes.
At 19, he signed his first professional contract with Paris Saint-Germain. He played there for many years. After the 1986 FIFA World Cup, he joined Racing Club de Paris. Even though the team looked strong, they did not succeed much.
In 1989, Fernandez moved to Cannes. This was a smaller club. In 1992, Cannes was moved down to Ligue 2, a lower league. Fernandez decided to stay with the club. A few weeks later, Cannes made him their manager. He finished the season as a player-manager, meaning he played and managed at the same time. He helped Cannes get back into Division 1. After that, he stopped playing professionally to focus on being a full-time manager.
International Football for France
Fernandez quickly became known for his skills. In late 1982, he was called up to the France national team. He played his first game against the Netherlands on 10 November 1982.
At 23, Fernandez became an important part of the team. This team had reached the semi-finals of the 1982 FIFA World Cup just months before. He played in the midfield with famous players like Jean Tigana, Alain Giresse, and Michel Platini. This group was called the "magic square" because they worked so well together.
With the national team, Fernandez won UEFA Euro 1984 in France. He also reached the semi-finals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Even as he got older, he remained part of the team. He helped France qualify for UEFA Euro 1992. Fernandez played in Euro 1992, but France was eliminated early. After this, he ended his international playing career.
Managerial Career Path
After retiring as a player, Luis Fernandez became a successful football manager.
Managing Cannes
After helping Cannes get promoted, Fernandez continued as their manager. He led the team to qualify for the UEFA Cup. He was named "Manager of the Year" for the 1993–94 season. People liked his attacking style of play and his use of young players. This made Paris Saint-Germain interested in him.
First Time at Paris Saint-Germain
In the 1994–95 UEFA Champions League, Fernandez's PSG team reached the semi-finals. They beat FC Barcelona, a team led by Johan Cruyff. In the same year, his team won the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue.
Even after losing key players, PSG won their first European trophy. They won the 1995–96 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup against Rapid Vienna.
Managing Athletic Bilbao
Fernandez managed Athletic Bilbao in Spain's La Liga for four seasons, from 1996 to 2000. In the 1997–98 season, he led the team to finish second in the league. This meant they qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
Second Time at Paris Saint-Germain
Fernandez returned to PSG in December 2000. The team was in 12th place when he took over. They finished 9th that season. This allowed them to play in the 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup, which they won.
In March 2003, Fernandez announced he would leave PSG at the end of the season. His team had a great start that season, even topping the league in October. Before his announcement, his team won a big game against Olympique de Marseille 3–0.
Managing Espanyol
On 4 November 2003, Fernandez was hired by Espanyol. The team was in last place in the league. He helped them avoid being moved down to a lower league. They won their final game of the season 2–0 to stay up.
Time in Qatar and Israel
In 2005, Fernandez briefly managed Al-Rayyan in Qatar. Then, in November, he moved to Israel to manage Beitar Jerusalem. He led the team to third place in his only season, which qualified them for the UEFA Cup.
Managing Real Betis
Fernandez joined Real Betis in Spain during the 2006–07 season. He managed the team for 26 matches. He won 5 games, drew 16, and lost 7. He left the club on 10 June 2007.
Managing Stade de Reims
Fernandez joined Stade de Reims halfway through the 2008–09 season. The team was in Ligue 2, the second division in France. However, he could not prevent them from being moved down to a lower league. He was replaced in June 2009.
Managing Israel National Team
On 21 March 2010, Fernandez was appointed manager of the Israel national team. His contract was for 18 months. He said he would only have Israeli coaches on his team. In December 2011, his contract ended because the team did not qualify for UEFA Euro 2012.
Managing Guinea National Team
On 29 April 2015, Fernandez signed a contract to manage the Guinea national team. He left the team on 24 May 2016. This was due to disagreements within the Guinean Football Federation.
Honours and Achievements
Luis Fernandez achieved many successes as both a player and a manager.
As a Player
Paris Saint-Germain
- French Division 1: 1985–86
- Coupe de France: 1981–82, 1982–83
France National Team
- UEFA European Championship: 1984
- Artemio Franchi Cup: 1985
Individual Awards
- French Player of the Year: 1985
- Étoile d'Or: 1986
- World XI: 1986, 1987
As a 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
