Maxence Flachez
Maxence Flachez | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 5, 1972 Grenoble, France |
| Occupation(s) | Footballer, coach |
| Years active | 1992–2009 (player), 2015–present (coach) |
| Known for | Professional football player (central defender), football coach |
Maxence Flachez (born 5 August 1972) is a retired French professional football player who operated primarily as a central defender and has since transitioned into a coaching role.
Football career
Originating from Grenoble, Flachez made his professional debut in Ligue 1 with Olympique Lyonnais on 29 August 1992, aged 20, during a 2–2 draw at home against Olympique de Marseille. Although he gained valuable playing time, his involvement with the first team diminished over time, prompting his exit in the summer of 1995.
Following a single season at FC Martigues, he transferred to FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, where he established himself as a regular starter for eight seasons, competing in both the top division and Ligue 2. He accumulated over 300 official appearances with the club. During the 2002–03 campaign, Flachez played a key role in Sochaux’s fifth-place league finish and their progression to the final of the Coupe de la Ligue. As AS Monaco FC qualified for the UEFA Champions League, Sochaux earned entry into the UEFA Cup, where Flachez participated in six matches.
For the 2004–05 season, he featured in Ligue 2 representing En Avant de Guingamp, before joining Valenciennes FC, contributing to their immediate promotion as champions in the 2005–06 season. He secured a final promotion to the top flight during the 2007–08 season with his hometown team, Grenoble Foot 38. Following Grenoble’s relegation in the 2008–09 season, Flachez retired close to age 37 and returned to Lyon to work as a television analyst for their official broadcasting channel.
Coaching career
Flachez embarked on his coaching journey in 2015, dedicating four years at Lyon where he managed both the under-19 squad and reserve team. On 10 January 2018, he was named assistant coach of Canadian MLS side Montreal Impact under head coach Rémi Garde. In July 2019, Flachez took on the role of assistant manager for Olympique de Marseille’s B-team, working alongside Philippe Anziani.
Honours
Sochaux
- Ligue 2: 2000–01
- Coupe de la Ligue: 2003–04; runners-up: 2002–03
Valenciennes
- Ligue 2: 2005–06