Kylian Mbappe appoints former Manchester City defender as head coach of French club | OneFootball

Former Manchester City and France international Gael Clichy has been appointed as the new head coach of a third-tier side in his home country.

The appointment comes at a pivotal time for the club, operating under the majority ownership of Kylian Mbappé, who completed a high-profile takeover of the French club earlier this year.

Mbappé has made no secret of his ambition to modernise it’s footballing structure and accelerate progress on the pitch, and the decision to install a first-time senior head coach with elite-level experience reflects that intent.

For Manchester City supporters, Clichy’s move into senior management represents another notable step in the growing influence of Pep Guardiola-era alumni within European coaching circles.

Having won multiple Premier League titles during his time at the Etihad Stadium, Clichy was regarded as a reliable and tactically astute figure during Manchester City’s transition into a domestic powerhouse.

Clichy’s post-playing pathway has been deliberately developmental rather than immediate, opting to gain experience within coaching environments rather than jumping straight into a top job. That grounding, coupled with his exposure to modern coaching methods across several countries, appears to have appealed to Caen’s hierarchy.

As confirmed in a statement by Stade Malherbe Caen, the former Arsenal and Manchester City defender and multi-Premier League title-winning defender has been appointed as the new head coach of the club.

“Stade Malherbe Caen announces the arrival of Gaël Clichy as head coach of its professional team,” a statement on Monday read. “A former French international, he will bring to the Club his experience at the highest level, his knowledge of modern football, and his high standards.

“After his time at Arsenal and Manchester City as a player, Gaël quickly transitioned into a hybrid player/coach role at Başakşehir Istanbul and Servette Geneva. He then joined Thierry Henry as manager of the French under-21 team, an experience that culminated in a second-place finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics.”

The statement continued, “He will be accompanied by Marvin Esor, who will complete the current technical staff which remains unchanged. SM Caen welcomes this new coach and offers him its full support to meet the challenges of the second half of the season.”

Gael Clichy’s immediate task will be to stabilise Caen’s campaign and implement a clear footballing identity aligned with the club’s longer-term ambitions. With Mbappé closely invested, expectations are likely to be high despite the club’s current third-tier status.

If successful, the role could represent a significant springboard in Clichy’s managerial career, potentially positioning another former Manchester City title winner for a rapid rise through the European coaching ranks.