Overview of En Avant Guingamp Football Club
En Avant Guingamp is a French football club that plays its home games at Stade de Roudourou in the city of Guingamp, Brittany. The team currently competes in the French Ligue 2, the second-tier of French football. The club was founded on 18 July 1912 as En Avant de Guingamp and has a red and black striped kit as its primary colours.
History of the Team
En Avant Guingamp has a long and proud history in French football. The club became professional in 1986 when it was promoted to the second division for the first time in its history. Six years later, the team achieved one of the greatest feats in French football, winning the Coupe de France in 1994. The club also enjoyed a stint in the French Ligue 1 between 1995 and 2004, finishing its highest at seventh place in 1996.
Notable Players
En Avant Guingamp has produced some talented players over the years. Some of the notable players who have played for the club include Didier Drogba, who started his career at Guingamp and won the Coupe de France with the team in 2002, and Fabrice Abriel, who played for Guingamp from 2002 to 2004 and returned to the team in 2014. Other notable players include Florent Malouda, Laurent Koscielny, and Marcus Thuram, the son of the famous football player Lilian Thuram.
Coaches
En Avant Guingamp has had several coaches throughout its history, including seasoned professionals such as Jocelyn Gourvennec, who led the team to victory in the Coupe de France in 2014, and Antoine Kombouaré, who guided the team to a seventh-place finish in the French Ligue 1 during the 2016/17 season. Other notable coaches include Victor Zvunka, Guy Lacombe, and Bertrand Marchand.
Most Successful Season
The most successful season in En Avant Guingamp’s history came in 1994 when the team won the Coupe de France for the first time. Guingamp defeated Rennes, Bastia, and Nice on their way to the final, where they faced Paris Saint-Germain. The match ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw after extra time, with Guingamp prevailing 3-1 on penalties.
Owner
En Avant Guingamp is owned by Bertrand Desplat, who took over the club in 2012. Desplat is a local businessman who grew up in Guingamp and has a deep passion for football. He has invested heavily in the team in recent years, especially on the youth academy, which has produced several talented players.
Stadium
En Avant Guingamp plays its home games at Stade de Roudourou, which was opened in 1990 and has a capacity of 18,274 seats. The stadium is known for its passionate atmosphere and is one of the most difficult places for opposing teams to play in France.
En Avant Guingamp has a proud history in French football, and the team’s passionate supporters continue to dream of a return to the top level of French football. With an exciting youth academy and committed owners, the future looks bright for this storied club.