Marc Keller’s Monaco years revisited before Strasbourg v Monaco in Coupe de France last-16 | OneFootball

Marc Keller, 58, faces his former club on Thursday as Strasbourg meet Monaco in the Coupe de France last-16, reviving memories of his two spells as chief executive in the 2000s. He left with a reputation for professionalism.

As reported by Nice-Matin, the Alsatian is a Colmar native who has spent almost half his life with Strasbourg, five years as a player and close to two decades as an executive. He has also navigated recent fan unrest over multi-ownership at the club.

Between 2006 and 2011 he served two spells at AS Monaco, 2006-2008 then 2009-2011. Dominique Bijotat, then academy director, recalls a precise leader who set a clear path and sought to raise post-formation standards by reshaping recruitment. Sylvain Monsoreau, signed in 2006, remembers positive early seasons.

Monsoreau says Keller recruited him and impressed with his vision. He describes a supportive, benevolent presence during a tough start under László Bölöni, including a key trip to Strasbourg when Keller addressed players individually without piling on pressure.

Jérôme De Bontin removed Keller and sporting director Jean-Luc Ettori in April 2008, but Keller returned in 2009. When Guy Lacombe arrived that year, Monaco were battling survival with 41 players under contract. The team then reached the 2010 Coupe de France final, lost 1-0 to PSG, and finished eighth, though Keller’s influence later waned.

Signings such as Gudjohnsen, Mbokani and Diarra did not deliver, and decisions under president Étienne Fanzy and vice president Michel Aubéry drew criticism, including a kit delay that forced pre-season purchases from a shop. Relegation followed in 2011 and Keller was dismissed on eight June 2011. He soon became RC Strasbourg president.

Source: Nice-Matin