| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 7 November 1968 | ||
| Place of birth | La Ciotat, France | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Bordeaux (assistant) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1986–1994 | Toulouse | 197 | (29) |
| 1994–1996 | Montpellier | 53 | (9) |
| 1996–2000 | Bordeaux | 128 | (4) |
| 2000–2001 | Betis | 10 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2003–2005 | Bordeaux | ||
| 2010– | Bordeaux (assistant) | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Michel Pavon (born November 7, 1968 in La Ciotat, Bouches-du-Rhône) is a retired French footballer, and a current a coach.
During his playing career, the defensive midfielder was mostly known for his hard-working approach. He played for three teams in 14 years (a very brief spell in Spain notwithstanding), appearing in 378 games as a professional, and worked mainly with Girondins de Bordeaux, as both a player and coach.
Pavon was born in the Marseille region to a Spanish father and a French mother, and started his professional football career with Toulouse FC, playing his first match on November 7, 1986, against Paris Saint-Germain FC. In his long period at Toulouse, he was selected for the French U21 team, and had a successful last season, scoring seven goals.
In 1994, Pavon moved to Montpellier HSC on a two-year contract. When it expired, he signed with FC Girondins de Bordeaux, where he garnered a firm fan base due to his enthusiastic play and hard work. He became the captain of the team within a short period, helping it reach the 1997 and 1998 League Cup finals, and also winning the first division title in 1999.
In his last seasons with Bordeaux, it was rumoured that Pavon would move to Olympique de Marseille. Although raised in that area, he gave his heart to Bordeaux and ignored the rumours, playing his last match on August 26, 2000, against RC Lens; after four successful seasons, he finally left the Girondins to play in his father's native country, signing a three-year contract with Real Betis, then in the second division. After only ten matches to help the Andalusians return to the topflight, he decided to hang up his boots after suffering a serious injury.
On October 24, 2003, Pavon became head coach at Bordeaux, replacing dismissed Élie Baup,[1] and earning a two-year extension at the season's end.[2] In 2004–05, he suffered from a heart problem which caused him to miss the last three games of the season. Team president Jean-Louis Triaud announced in June 2005 that Pavon was standing down, not able to coach the club the next season. He continued his work at the club in a scouting function, as Brazilian Ricardo Gomes took charge.[3]
In the 2010 summer, Pavon returned again to Bordeaux, being named newly appointed coach Jean Tigana's assistant.
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