Thierry GOUDET

Originally from the neighbouring region of Mayenne, Thierry Goudet began his professional career, aged 18, at Laval. He became an integral part of the First Team as a playmaker, staying with the Tangos and Blacks for six seasons, during which he experienced the joys of European football. He participated in Laval's biggest achievement, eliminating Dynamo Kiev in the 1983-1984 season. During his six years at Laval, he made 211 appearances, scoring 24 goals, making him an experienced midfielder. He then left to join Brest, who were playing in the First Division for the two seasons that followed, but suffered relegation to the Second Division there in his second term. In 1988, he was signed by Rennes to help the club get back into the top flight thanks to a backbone composed essentially of experienced players. During his three seasons with Stade Rennais, he was part of the team which yo-yoed between the top two divisions. As a versatile player, he was played in all the midfield roles, and made 100 appearances in total, scoring three goals. After a difficult season, he left Rennes in 1991 to join Le Havre for two seasons, before returning home to Laval, finishing his career where he had started in the 1993-1994 season. With a playing career spanning 14 years as a pro, he then went into coaching, which took him from management roles in Le Mans to Laval, via Le Havre and Belgium.