Didier CHRISTOPHE

Developed by the French National Football Institute in Clairefontaine from 1973 onwards, Didier Christophe began his professional playing career with Monaco in 1976. This powerful and physical defensive midfielder would only see limited action in his first years at the club. It was only from 1979 onwards that he established himself in the starting line-up, and was even elected most-promising newcomer in that season. He would go on to win the French Cup in 1980, and the French league title in 1982 with the club from the Principality. His good perfomances with Monaco would open the door for him to the French national team between 1980 and 1981, winning 6 caps, scoring once in a 5-1 victory against Greece. In 1982, he would take the road North, joining Lille in the First Division for two seasons, during which he would make 70 appearances. In 1984/1985, he retured South for a season in Toulouse. In 1985, he signed for newly-promoted Rennes to bolster their midfield with his experience, and became a key figure in the side with whom he spent two seasons. Having achieved survival in his first year, his second season would end in relegation after a catastrophical year from a collective point of view, despite Christophe scoring 5 goals, one quarter of his team's total goals for. In 1987, he left to join Stade de Reims in the Second Division and then Grenoble - playing at the same levei - in 1988. He retired from professional football as a player in 1990. After that, he went on to take on the varying roles of Director of Football, educator, Head of Academy or coach, notably with Bourg Péronnas in 2004 and Pau in 2011. He currently works for the French FA (FFF) and deals more specifically in the development of women's football.