One To Watch
Who is Zoumana Camara, Montpellier's new coach?
Zoumana Camara has made his first foray into senior management, charged with the tough task of trying to keep Montpellier in Ligue 1 McDonald's with six Match Days left to play until the end of the season. This appointment comes at a critical time for the Hérault side, currently positioned at the bottom of the table and enduring a nine-game losing streak.
Born on April 3, 1979, in Colombes, France, Camara began his football journey with the youth academy of AS Saint-Étienne. He made his professional debut with the club in 1996, showcasing his skills as a central defender. In 1998, he transferred to Inter Milan but found limited opportunities, leading to loan spells at Empoli and SC Bastia. Camara returned to France in 2000, joining Olympique de Marseille, where his performances earned him a call-up to the French national team.
Subsequent moves saw Camara at RC Lens, including a loan to Leeds United, before he returned to AS Saint-Étienne in 2004. His performances would then catch the attention of Paris Saint-Germain where he became an instant success. The Frenchman would go on to make 224 appearances for the Rouge et Bleu, winning three Ligue 1 McDonald's titles and lifting several cups.
Coaching IN the capital
Upon retiring as a player in 2015, Camara seamlessly transitioned into coaching, joining PSG's staff as an assistant manager. Over the years, he worked under prominent managers such as Laurent Blanc, Unai Emery, and Thomas Tuchel. In 2021, he took on the role of head coach for PSG's Under-19 team, leading them to a national championship in the 2023–24 season.
This week the Frenchman was announced as manager of Montpellier with a clear objective: winning enough games to either avoid relegation or try their chances in the relegation play-off.
"It's certainly a difficult situation, but by coming now, I'm preparing for the future and it will allow us to take stock of the situation and get to know each other better," said Camara in his first press conference as Montpellier boss. "There will be quick choices to be made for the future in terms of the squad. Rather than naming the individuals with whom there are problems, I want to get back to being a collective this afternoon."
"The most important thing is that I know how to adapt. If I have profiles that don't suit my ideas, I'm not going to be stubborn. After all, when you spend 16 years in Paris, you want to have possession. But the main objective is to regain the fighting spirit and the pleasure, which has been lost in recent weeks."
Camara's first game in charge of MHSC will be against SCO Angers next weekend, before travelling to the Vélodrome to face Marseille the week after.
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