Mickaël Vincent André-Marie Landreau (French pronunciation: [mikaɛl lɑ̃dʁo]; born 14 May 1979) is a French professional football manager and former player who played as a goalkeeper.

Mickaël Landreau
Landreau as Lorient manager in 2019
Personal information
Full name Mickaël Vincent André-Marie Landreau[1]
Date of birth (1979-05-14) 14 May 1979 (age 44)[2]
Place of birth Machecoul, France
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
1985–1992 Étoile Arthonnaise
1992–1993 GS Saint-Sébastien-sur-Loire
1993–1996 Nantes
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–2006 Nantes 335 (0)
2006–2009 Paris Saint-Germain 114 (0)
2009–2012 Lille 119 (0)
2012–2014 Bastia 50 (0)
Total 618 (0)
International career
1997–2002 France U21 46 (0)
2001–2007 France 11 (0)
Managerial career
2016–2017 Paris FC (assistant)
2017–2019 Lorient
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  France
FIFA World Cup
Runner-up 2006
FIFA Confederations Cup
Winner 2001
Winner 2003
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Runner-up 2002
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Landreau holds the record for Ligue 1 appearances, with 618 for Nantes, Paris Saint-Germain, Lille and Bastia between 1996 and 2014. He won a league title with Nantes in 2001 and Lille in 2011.

Landreau was a long-term France international but always as back-up. He was part of their squads that won the Confederations Cup in 2001 and 2003, and finished runners-up at the 2006 World Cup, along with other tournament call-ups.

Club career edit

Nantes edit

Born in Machecoul, Landreau graduated from the Nantes Atlantique "Centre of Excellence" in La Jonelière. His first professional match for Nantes was a 0–0 draw against Bastia on 2 October 1996 and saved the penalty from Ľubomír Moravčík. Since 1996, he remained a mainstay in the Nantes starting line-up, and consistently produced excellent performances. At age 19, Landreau became captain. He was selected to represent the France youth national team at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship.

 
Landreau during a casting organized by Adidas.

In the next ten years, he hardly missed a game, completing in July 2005 300 matches for Nantes and was an important support for his team during their successes around the turn of the millennium. Having won two consecutive Coupe de France trophies in 1999 and 2000 (captained in the 2000 final), Nantes were crowned 2001 Ligue 1 champions for the first time since 1995. In the same when Nantes won the Ligue 1, Landreau signed a new contract, keeping him until 2006.[3] His good performance at Nantes led Landreau drew strong interest from clubs like Barcelona,[4] Monaco, Roma, Juventus,[5] Marseille,[6] Manchester United[7] and Celtic.[8]

On 11 October 2003, Landreau had an operation on his articular disk which was a serious injury in his football career.[9] On 22 November 2003, Landreau made his return in a 3–1 win over his (first match in his career) against Bastia. In the semi-final of the 2004 French Cup, Landreau produced several saves, but to no avail as the team could not score and were eliminated from the competition. In the final of Coupe de la Ligue against Sochaux-Montbéliard, the match was 1–1 and played until the penalty shootout. Landreau shot the seventh penalty in a panenka style, only to be saved by Teddy Richert. Nantes were about to lose the game when Pascal Delhommeau missed, allowing Benoît Pedretti to score the winning penalty. After the match, Landreau said he had "no regrets" on missing the penalty in that manner.[10]

At the end of the 2005–06 Ligue 1 season, Landreau's contract with Nantes was set to expire but Nantes was set to offer Landreau a new contract along with Mauro Cetto and Jérémy Toulalan.[11] He gave a press conference and announced that after thirteen years, he would leave FC Nantes to meet new challenges in a more important team. He announced his intention to leave his first club just before the end of the 2005–2006 season. As his contract expired, Arsenal[12] and A.C. Milan[13] were among interested signing him. During his last match at Stade de la Beaujoire on 6 May 2006, he received a tribute from the fans who saluted his dedication and loyalty to the club for thirteen years. The season following his departure, Nantes was relegated to Ligue 2 for the first time since 1963.

 
Landreau during a match between Dynamo Kiev and PSG.

Paris Saint-Germain edit

Landreau then joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, signing a four-years contract on 15 May 2006.[14] After his move to Paris, Landreau says moving to Paris could earn him a call up from France.[15]

At Paris Saint-Germain, Landreau established himself as a first choice goalkeeper beating Jérôme Alonzo and youngster Nicolas Cousin He also became a fan favorite. On 5 August 2006, Landreau made his debut for PSG in a 3–2 loss against Lorient. In the 2006–07, the 2007–08 and the 2008–09 season, Landreau played all 38 appearance in his PSG Career. At his last appearance at PSG in a match against AS Monaco which resulted in a 0–0 draw and his last clean sheet, he thanked the fans for his time at the club and they passed him with a rare standing ovation. After the 2007–08 season ended, Landreau had been linked with a move away from the club after Grégory Coupet remained keen to play abroad at PSG, who could replaced him as a first choice goalkeeper. However, Charles Villeneuve said he had not confirmed Landreau's place in the squad for next season and had hinted at an interest in Coupet but Sebastien Bazin (the chairman of PSG's majority shareholders Colony Capital) insisted Landreau will not be leaving the club.[16] Reports claims Landreau could be set to move to Real Madrid in order to become Iker Casillas’ understudy.[17] Coupet eventually move to Paris Saint-Germain putting Landreau’s future in doubt.[18]

Lille edit

 
Landreau in training just before the final of the Coupe de France match with Lille.

After the 2009–10 season, Lille OSC made a €2 million (£1.7 million) offer for Landreau who wanted him to replace the veteran goalkeeper Grégory Malicki who left Lille to join Dijon on a free transfer and was the first choice goalkeeper for Lille in the 2008–09 season. The move was agreed and was completed.[18][19] Five days after signing for Lille, he suffered a massive blow by damaging cruciate ligaments during a training session which kept him out of action for around six months. During his absence due to injury, Ludovic Butelle got more playing time and played about 10 matches until Landreau returned and he later became the first choice-goalkeeper ever since. On 22 October 2009, Landreau was back on the bench in Europa League during the match against Genoa (3–0) and made his league debut for Lille in a 2–0 win over Grenoble on 30 October 2009.

 
Landreau wearing the medal of the winner of the Coupe de France 2011.

In the 2010–11 season, Landreau was involved in the Lille squad that won the Ligue 1 for the third time in club history and the first time since 1954. He made history by becoming the first player ever to compete in the Trophée des Champions with three clubs.

On 7 November 2012, he allowed six goals from Bayern Munich during a Champions League match. In December 2012 as a remaining first choice goalkeeper, Landreau left Lille by mutual consent after a strained relationship with general manager Frederic Paquet.[20] In the press conference, Landreau said "The most important thing is to blossom on the pitch. I could not anymore. And a year and a half is a long way to go when you have hard days." and left the club both sportingly and psychologically.

Bastia edit

On 23 December 2012, Landreau signed a six-month contract with the Corsican club SC Bastia.[21] Upon moving to Bastia, he revealed that he had turned down a move to Italian side Inter Milan.[22] On 4 December 2013, Landreau broke the record for the most appearances by any player in Ligue 1 or Division 1 - the top flight in French football - when he started in the match against AC Ajaccio. It was Landreau's 603rd Ligue 1 match. Three days earlier, he had equalled the previous record of 602 Ligue 1 or Division 1 matches held by former AS Monaco goalkeeper Jean-Luc Ettori when he appeared in the SC Bastia-Evian TG match.[23]

Management edit

In August 2016, Landreau was appointed assistant manager to Réginald Ray at Championnat National club Paris FC.[24] In May 2017, he was given a four-year contract at Lorient, newly relegated to Ligue 2.[25] He quit that job halfway through the deal in May 2019, having finished sixth and therefore missed out on the objective of promotion.[26]

International career edit

Landreau was part of the France squad that won the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Korea and Japan. He made his debut in his only appearance of the tournament, a 4–0 win over Mexico in the final group game on 3 June.[27] He did not play again until the 2003 edition that the team won again on home soil, taking part in a 5–0 win over New Zealand at the exact same stage at the Stade de France.[28]

At UEFA Euro 2004 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Landreau wore France's number one jersey despite being the third-choice goalkeeper behind Fabien Barthez and Grégory Coupet and unused in both tournaments as a result.[29][30] He played half of the 12 matches in UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying, but was overlooked for the final tournament in Austria and Switzerland, where Sébastien Frey and Steve Mandanda backed up Coupet.[31]

Landreau was recalled to the France national team in September 2012 by newly appointed manager Didier Deschamps for upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Finland on 7 September and Belarus on 11 September. It was his first national call-up since November 2007.[32] He went to the finals in Brazil, as third choice behind Hugo Lloris and Stéphane Ruffier.[33] After the tournament, he retired from club and international football at the age of 35, to spend more time with his family.[34]

Career statistics edit

Club edit

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[35]
Club Season League Cup[a] Europe Other[b] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Nantes 1996–97 Division 1 29 0 1 0 30 0
1997–98 33 0 1 0 2 0 36 0
1998–99 31 0 6 0 37 0
1999–2000 33 0 1 0 6 0 1 0 41 0
2000–01 33 0 3 0 8 0 1 0 45 0
2001–02 33 0 1 0 11 0 1 0 46 0
2002–03 Ligue 1 36 0 3 0 39 0
2003–04 34 0 4 0 38 0
2004–05 37 0 5 0 42 0
2005–06 36 0 7 0 43 0
Total 335 0 32 0 27 0 3 0 397 0
Paris Saint-Germain 2006–07 Ligue 1 38 0 4 0 10 0 1 0 53 0
2007–08 38 0 7 0 45 0
2008–09 38 0 5 0 10 0 53 0
Total 114 0 16 0 20 0 1 0 151 0
Lille 2009–10 Ligue 1 28 0 2 0 7 0 37 0
2010–11 38 0 7 0 9 0 54 0
2011–12 38 0 3 0 5 0 1 0 47 0
2012–13 15 0 0 0 6 0 21 0
Total 119 0 12 0 27 0 1 0 159 0
Bastia 2012–13 Ligue 1 19 0 19 0
2013–14 31 0 2 0 33 0
Total 50 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 52 0
Career total 618 0 62 0 74 0 5 0 759 0

International edit

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
France[36] 2001 1 0
2003 1 0
2004 1 0
2006 1 0
2007 7 0
Total 11 0

Managerial statistics edit

As of 17 May 2019
Team From To Record
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
Lorient 30 May 2017 28 May 2019 88 42 21 25 134 98 +36 047.73
Career totals 88 42 21 25 134 98 +36 047.73

Honours edit

Nantes

Paris Saint-Germain

Lille

France

Notes edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Entreprise Micka Immo à Pornic (44210)" [Company Micka Immo in Pornic (44210)]. Figaro Entreprises (in French). 7 December 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
    "Mickael Landreau". BFM Business (in French). NextInteractive. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  2. ^ "2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: France" (PDF). FIFA. 21 March 2014. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  3. ^ "LANDREAU AGREES NEW NANTES DEAL". Sky Sports. 5 June 2001. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  4. ^ "LANDREAU REJECTED BARCA CHANCE". Sky Sports. 24 July 2001. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  5. ^ "Juve watch Nantes pair". Sky Sports. 15 April 2002. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  6. ^ "L'OM ready for summer splash". Sky Sports. 8 May 2003. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  7. ^ "Bouchet denies Red Devils talks". Sky Sports. 19 March 2003. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  8. ^ "Landreau plays down move". Sky Sports. 7 April 2005. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  9. ^ "Landreau set for surgery". Sky Sports. 11 October 2003. Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  10. ^ "Landreau: No regrets". Sky Sports. 19 April 2004.
  11. ^ "Nantes talking to key trio". Sky Sports. 20 January 2006. Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  12. ^ "Arsenal 'targeting' Landreau". Sky Sports. 16 March 2006. Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  13. ^ "Landreau in Milan link". Sky Sports. 17 March 2006. Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  14. ^ "Landreau completes PSG move". Sky Sports. 15 May 2006. Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  15. ^ "Landreau plans bright future". Sky Sports. 29 July 2006. Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  16. ^ "Uncertain future for Landreau". Sky Sports. 31 May 2008. Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  17. ^ "PSG Goalkeeper Mickael Landreau: I Could Leave France For Spain Or England". Goals.com. 28 February 2009. Archived from the original on 8 June 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  18. ^ a b "PSG capture Coupet". Sky Sports. 30 June 2009. Archived from the original on 8 July 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  19. ^ "Lille agree Landreau fee". Sky Sports. 28 June 2009. Archived from the original on 8 July 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  20. ^ "Ligue 1 – France keeper Landreau leaves Lille". Yahoo! Eurosport. 7 December 2012. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  21. ^ "Mickaël Landreau au Sporting" (in French). SC Bastia. 23 December 2012. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  22. ^ "Mickael Landreau has revealed he turned down the chance to move to Inter Milan to join Bastia". Sky Sports. 31 December 2012. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  23. ^ "Keeper Landreau sets new record mark". France24. 4 December 2013. Archived from the original on 6 December 2013.
  24. ^ Pruneta, Laurent (16 August 2016). "Paris FC : un adjoint nommé Mickaël Landreau" [Paris FC: an assistant named Mickaël Landreau]. Le Parisien (in French). Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  25. ^ "Football: Ex-France 'keeper Landreau named Lorient coach". Be Soccer. 30 May 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  26. ^ "Mickaël Landreau n'est plus l'entraîneur de Lorient" [Mickaël Landreau is no longer the manager of Lorient]. L'Équipe (in French). 18 May 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  27. ^ "Classy France thrash Mexico". BBC Sport. 3 June 2001. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  28. ^ "France thrash Kiwis". BBC Sport. 22 June 2003. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  29. ^ "France squad". BBC Sport. 3 June 2004. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  30. ^ "France". FIFA. Archived from the original on 5 March 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  31. ^ "France squad for Euro 2008". The Guardian. 28 May 2008. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  32. ^ "Quel rôle peut jouer Mickaël Landreau ?" [What role could Mickaël Landreau play?] (in French). Europe 1. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  33. ^ "World Cup 2014: Stephane Ruffier confirmed in France squad". BBC Sport. 3 June 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  34. ^ "Bleus : l'heure de la retraite a sonné pour Landreau" [Bleus: the time to retire has come for Landreau] (in French). Europe 1. 5 July 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  35. ^ Mickaël Landreau – French league stats at LFP – also available in French (archived)
  36. ^ "Mickaël Landreau - national football team player". eu-football.info. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2018.

External links edit