Patrice Lair returns to Montpellier women’s dugout nearly 20 years after leaving | OneFootball

Patrice Lair, 64, will take charge of Montpellier’s women after leaving Mexico to return to France, with the side having only just stayed up in the Arkema Première Ligue.

The club said in a statement on Monday that he was returning nearly 20 years after first beginning his women’s coaching journey in Montpellier, following a campaign that ended in 10th place.

Lair previously led Montpellier from 2005 to 2007. He then won titles with Lyon’s women between 2010 and 2014, before managing Paris Saint-Germain’s women from 2016 to 2018.

Short stints at Niort and Guingamp followed, then a spell in charge of the men at Châteauroux. He also coached Bordeaux’s women from 2021 to 2024.

Over the past year he worked at Deportivo Toluca, the Mexican club that also includes Amandine Henry.

In April he voiced disillusionment with the French game, arguing that those who understand football are no longer in it. This return cuts against that view.

Source: L'Équipe