Stéphane Paille
Stéphane Paille | |
|---|---|
| Born | 27 June 1965 Scionzier, Rhône-Alpes, France |
| Died | 27 June 2017 (aged 52) |
| Occupation(s) | Professional football player, football coach and manager |
| Years active | 1982–1997 (player), 1999–2006 (coach/manager) |
| Known for | Playing for France national team; coaching multiple French clubs |
Stéphane Paille (27 June 1965 – 27 June 2017) was a French professional football player who represented the France national team and competed for multiple clubs across France, Portugal, Switzerland, and Scotland. Following his playing days, he transitioned into a career in football coaching and management.
Honours
Porto
- Taça de Portugal: 1990–91
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1990
Playing career
Originating from Scionzier, Rhône-Alpes, Paille launched his professional journey with Sochaux, where he spent seven seasons from 1982 until 1989. During this period, he played a key role in Sochaux’s progression to the 1987–88 Coupe de France final and earned the accolade of French Player of the Year in that same season. On the international stage, he was capped eight times for France between 1986 and 1989, netting one goal.
The latter phase of Paille’s career was characterized by numerous club changes. After departing Sochaux in 1989 alongside Eric Cantona to join Montpellier HSC, he rarely stayed more than two seasons at any club over the following nine years. His career path included stints with Girondins de Bordeaux, FC Porto, Stade Malherbe Caen, a return spell at Bordeaux, Olympique Lyonnais, Swiss team Servette FC, and FC Mulhouse. In September 1995, he ended his playing career temporarily after testing positive for cannabis, which he attributed to personal difficulties. He made a brief comeback with Scottish side Heart of Midlothian in 1996 but was released in May 1997 after failing another drug test related to Dinintel.
Coaching and managerial career
Paille resumed his involvement in football at Sochaux by undertaking a coaching position from 1999 to 2002. He then accepted his first managerial role as head coach of Besançon RC, a position he held until 2004. In 2005, he briefly managed Racing Club Paris before moving to Angers in May of that year, leaving the club in June 2006.
Death
He passed away on 27 June 2017, coinciding with his 52nd birthday.