Alain Perrin

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Alain Perrin

| image = Alain Perrin al khor.jpg

| caption = Perrin as manager of Al-Khor in 2011

| full_name = Alain André Christian Perrin

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1956|10|7|df=y}}

| birth_place = Lure, Haute-Saône, France

| height =

| position = Defender

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = 1966–1970

| youthclubs1 = SR Haguenau

| youthyears2 = 1970–1971

| youthclubs2 = Tomblaine

| youthyears3 = 1971

| youthclubs3 = Nancy

| years1 = 1971–1975

| caps1 =

| goals1 =

| clubs1 = Nancy

| years2 = 1976–1981

| caps2 =

| goals2 =

| clubs2 = Varangéville

| years3 = 1983–1987

| clubs3 = Nancy

| caps3 =

| goals3 =

| manageryears1 = 1993–2002

| managerclubs1 = Troyes

| manageryears2 = 2002–2004

| managerclubs2 = Marseille

| manageryears3 = 2004

| managerclubs3 = Al-Ain

| manageryears4 = 2005

| managerclubs4 = Portsmouth

| manageryears5 = 2006–2007

| managerclubs5 = Sochaux

| manageryears6 = 2007–2008

| managerclubs6 = Lyon

| manageryears7 = 2008–2009

| managerclubs7 = Saint-Étienne

| manageryears8 = 2010–2012

| managerclubs8 = Al-Khor

| manageryears9 = 2012–2013

| managerclubs9 = Qatar (Olympic)

| manageryears10 = 2012–2013

| managerclubs10 = Al Gharafa

| manageryears11 = 2013

| managerclubs11 = Umm Salal

| manageryears12 = 2014–2016

| managerclubs12 = China

| manageryears13 = 2018–2019

| managerclubs13 = Nancy

}}

Alain André Christian Perrin ({{IPA|fr|alɛ̃ ɑ̃dʁe kʁistjɑ̃ pɛʁɛ̃}}; born 7 October 1956) is a French professional football manager and former player.

Perrin made his managerial breakthrough at Troyes, whom he took from the fourth tier to Ligue 1 and UEFA Cup qualification by winning the 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup. He won the Coupe de France with Sochaux in 2007, and the league and cup double for Lyon a year later.

Abroad, Perrin worked for several years in Qatar and had brief spells in the United Arab Emirates and with Portsmouth in the Premier League. Internationally, he led China at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

Early life

Alain André Christian Perrin{{cite web |url=https://www.verif.com/dirigeants/Alain-PERRIN-1428754/ |title=Alain Andre Christian Perrin |website=Verif.com |access-date=9 March 2025 |language=fr}} was born on 7 October 1956{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/managers/2792/Alain-Perrin/overview |title=Manager profile: Alain Perrin |publisher=Premier League |access-date=3 July 2022}} in Lure, Haute-Saône.{{cite news |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheEntraineur83.html |title=Alain Perrin |newspaper=L'Équipe |location=Paris |access-date=3 July 2022 |language=fr}}

Managerial career

File:RC Lens - AS Nancy-Lorraine (19-01-2019) 100.jpg

=Troyes=

Perrin began his coaching career at Nancy in 1983, as junior coach to Arsène Wenger. He built up a reputation as a talented young coach whilst at the club, and was appointed to run the club's academy.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

In 1993, Perrin had his first chance at management, taking over as manager of French National 2 (fourth division) club Troyes AC, quickly taking the club to Ligue 1 after three promotions in six seasons, and qualifying for the UEFA Cup. His side won the 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup on the away goals rule after a 4–4 draw at Newcastle United.{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Michael |title=Robson swiftly sunk by Troyes tempest |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/aug/22/newsstory.sport2 |access-date=20 April 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=22 August 2001}}

=Marseille=

In May 2002, Perrin signed a three-year deal to succeed Bernard Tapie as manager of Olympique de Marseille.{{cite news |title=Perrin earns move to Marseille |url=https://www.uefa.com/news/0185-0e6a40166024-6f03412ecdf5-1000--perrin-earns-move-to-marseille/ |access-date=20 April 2020 |publisher=UEFA |date=7 May 2002}} He was dismissed in January 2004 with the team in sixth, having lost 9 of their last 15 games.{{cite news |title=Marseille coach Perrin leaves club |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2004/SPORT/football/01/14/marseille.coach/index.html |access-date=20 April 2020 |publisher=CNN |date=14 January 2004}}

Days after leaving the Stade Vélodrome, Perrin was linked to a number of managerial positions around Europe, including at Premier League club Southampton.{{cite news |title=Perrin eyes Saints job |first=Andrew |last=Fraser |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/3447369.stm |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 February 2004 |access-date=29 April 2012}} However, in July 2004 he was named manager of Al-Ain in the UAE Pro League, and remained there for three months.{{cite news |title=Perrin appointed at Portsmouth |url=https://www.uefa.com/news/01a8-0e6c0b01fb32-447df6b60649-1000--perrin-appointed-at-portsmouth/ |access-date=20 April 2020 |date=7 April 2005}}

=Portsmouth=

On 7 April 2005, Perrin did move to the Premier League when he took over at Portsmouth; the club were in 16th place and four points above relegation with seven games to go.{{cite news |title=Pompey unveil Perrin as new boss |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/4417187.stm |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=7 April 2005 |access-date=29 April 2012}} On 24 April his side beat rivals Southampton 4–1 in the South Coast derby, a result that contributed to Pompey staying up and Saints being relegated.{{cite news |title=Portsmouth 4–1 Southampton |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4451361.stm |access-date=20 April 2020 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 April 2005}}

On 24 November 2005 Perrin was sacked by Portsmouth, having won only twice all season.{{cite news |title=Portsmouth dismiss manager Perrin |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/4455700.stm |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 November 2005 |access-date=29 April 2012}}

=Return to France=

Perrin returned to Ligue 1 in May 2006, taking over a Sochaux side that had just finished 15th under Dominique Bijotat.{{cite news |title=Sochaux appoint Perrin as coach |url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/sochaux-appoint-perrin-as-coach.53588 |access-date=20 April 2020 |work=Times of Malta |agency=Reuters |date=19 May 2006}} On 12 May 2007 he won the Coupe de France against former team Marseille, on penalties after a 2–2 draw; it was the team's first win in the tournament since 1937.{{cite news |title=Sochaux win on penalties |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/coupe-de-france/2006-2007/sochaux-win-on-penalties_sto1179308/story.shtml |access-date=20 April 2020 |publisher=Eurosport |date=12 May 2007}}

Perrin took over as manager of Olympique Lyonnais on 30 May 2007, after Gérard Houllier resigned earlier that month.{{cite news | title = Perrin replaces Houllier at Lyon |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6703715.stm |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 30 May 2007 |access-date = 9 February 2009}} In his only season, he led the club to a seventh consecutive Ligue 1 championship title, and retained the cup for the team's first double. He stepped down in June 2008 due to differences with the club's backroom staff.{{cite news |title = Ex-Pompey boss Perrin leaves Lyon |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7457790.stm |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 16 June 2008 |access-date = 9 February 2009}}

He was rumoured to take over the position of French national manager, but it was confirmed on 3 July 2008 that Raymond Domenech would remain in the position. On 11 November 2008, he became the new manager of Saint-Étienne,{{cite news |url = https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2008/11/11/01011-20081111FILWWW00327-alain-perrin-entrainera-st-etienne.php |title = Alain Perrin entraînera St-Etienne |publisher = Le Figaro |date = 11 November 2008 |access-date = 9 February 2009|language=fr}} and was fired on 15 December 2009.[http://www.asse.fr/index.php?page=detail_actu&id=5166 Tirage au sort : réaction d’Alain Perrin]

=Qatar=

On 1 June 2012, Perrin decided to leave Al-Khor Sports Club to take up the vacant Qatar U23 position.{{cite news |title=Former Olympique Lyonnais and Portsmouth boss Alain Perrin appointed Qatar Olympic coach |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1277/west-asia/2012/05/21/3116611/former-olympique-lyonnais-and-portsmouth-boss-alain-perrin|publisher=goal.com |date=21 May 2012 |access-date=18 June 2014}} His first assignment was to lead the team at the AFC Under-22 qualifiers, however the team were unable to make the tournament after they were knocked out in the group stages of the qualification process. Despite this disappointment Perrin continued to lead them into the 2012 GCC U-23 Championship where the team fared considerably better reaching the semi-finals of the tournament and eventually coming fourth overall in the competition.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

On 20 December 2012, Perrin joined Al Gharafa and left just about two months after.{{cite news |last1=Rehmat |first1=Rizwan |title=Al Gharafa must be competitive to win, says new coach Zico |url=https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/07/08/2013/al-gharafa-must-be-competitive-to-win-says-new-coach-zico |access-date=30 March 2022 |work=The Peninsula |date=7 August 2013}} In March 2013, he was appointed new head coach of Umm Salal to replace Bertrand Marchand. He resigned from his post on 30 September 2013 after losing twice in the first three games of the season.{{cite news |title=Coach Gilli set to rejoin QSL side Umm Salal |url=https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/01/10/2013/coach-gilli-set-to-rejoin-qsl-side-umm-salal |access-date=30 March 2022 |work=The Peninsula |date=1 October 2013}}

=China=

On 28 February 2014, Perrin was named as new China national football team manager, replacing Antonio Camacho.{{cite news |last1=Dreyer |first1=Mark |title=Alain Perrin: Doomed to fail in China? |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/alain-perrin-doomed-fail-in-china |access-date=30 March 2022 |publisher=Sports Keeda |date=28 February 2014}} He made his debut five days later in a 3–1 loss to Iraq in the last game of 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification, but still made it through as the best third-placed team.{{cite news |title=New China manager Alain Perrin warns of changes after big scare |url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1442057/new-china-manager-alain-perrin-warns-changes-after-big-scare |access-date=30 March 2022 |work=South China Morning Post |date=6 March 2014}} At the finals in Australia, the team won all three group games before a 2–0 last 16 loss to the hosts.{{cite news |title=Tim Cahill double against China sends Australia into Asian Cup semi-finals |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/22/asian-cup-china-australia-match-report |access-date=30 March 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=22 January 2015}}

In August, China finished second to South Korea on home soil at the 2015 EAFF East Asian Cup.{{cite news |title=Japan finishes last at East Asian Cup |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/08/10/soccer/international-soccer/japan-finishes-last-at-east-asian-cup/ |access-date=30 March 2022 |work=The Japan Times |date=10 August 2015}} The following 8 January, he left his job as the team sat in third in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification following a loss at Qatar and two draws with Hong Kong.{{cite news |title=Alain Perrin out as China national team coach |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2016/01/08/ap-soc-china-coach-fired-1st-ld-writethru |access-date=30 March 2022 |work=Sports Illustrated |date=8 January 2016}}

=Nancy=

In April 2018 Perrin was one of 77 applicants for the vacant Cameroon national team job.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43869356|title=77 applicants for vacant Cameroon coaching position|date=23 April 2018|access-date=27 April 2018|author=Oluwashina Okeleji|publisher=BBC Sport}} On 27 October that year, he replaced Didier Tholot as manager of Ligue 2 club Nancy.{{cite news |title=Nancy : Perrin passe entraîneur à la place de Tholot |url=https://sport24.lefigaro.fr/football/ligue-2/fil-info/nancy-perrin-passe-entraineur-a-la-place-de-tholot-930967 | work= Le Figaro| date=27 October 2018|access-date=3 November 2018}} On 28 May 2019, it was confirmed that Jean-Louis Garcia would be the new manager of the club from the upcoming season.[https://maligue2.fr/2019/05/29/officiel-jean-louis-garcia-succede-a-alain-perrin-a-nancy/ Officiel : Jean-Louis Garcia succède à Alain Perrin à Nancy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018200024/https://maligue2.fr/2019/05/29/officiel-jean-louis-garcia-succede-a-alain-perrin-a-nancy/ |date=18 October 2021 }}, maligue2.fr, 29 May 2019

Managerial statistics

rowspan="2"\|Team !rowspan="2"\|Nat !rowspan="2"\|From !rowspan="2"\|To !colspan="5"\|Record
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
G	W	D	L	Win %
align=left\|Troyes \|{{fbicon\|France}} \|align=left\|1 July 1993 \|align=left\|30 June 2002 \| 324	133	105	86	{{#expr: 133 / 324 * 100 round 2}}
align=left\|Marseille \|{{fbicon\|France}} \|align=left\|1 July 2002 \|align=left\|14 January 2004 \| 60	31	9	20	{{#expr: 31 / 60 * 100 round 2}}
align=left\|Al-Ain \|{{fbicon\|UAE}} \|align=left\|13 July 2004 \|align=left\|24 October 2004 \| 4	2	0	2	{{#expr: 2 / 4 * 100 round 2}}
align=left\|Portsmouth \|{{fbicon\|England}} \|align=left\|7 April 2005 \|align=left\|24 November 2005 \| 21	4	6	11	{{#expr: 4 / 21 * 100 round 2}}
align=left\|Sochaux \|{{fbicon\|France}} \|align=left\|1 August 2006 \|align=left\|30 June 2007 \| 47	22	13	12	{{#expr: 22 / 47 * 100 round 2}}
align=left\|Lyon \|{{fbicon\|France}} \|align=left\|1 July 2007 \|align=left\|16 June 2008 \| 59	39	11	9	66.10
align=left\|Saint-Étienne \|{{fbicon\|France}} \|align=left\|12 November 2008 \|align=left\|15 December 2009 \| 58	20	13	25	{{#expr: 20 / 58 * 100 round 2}}
align=left\|Al-Khor \|{{fbicon\|Qatar}} \|align=left\|14 June 2010 \|align=left\|31 May 2012 \| 65	24	13	28	{{#expr: 24 / 65 * 100 round 2}}
align=left\|Qatar U23 \|— \|align=left\|1 June 2012 \|align=left\|19 December 2012 \| 9	3	3	3	{{#expr: 3 / 9 * 100 round 2}}
align=left\|Al Gharafa \|{{fbicon\|Qatar}} \|align=left\|20 December 2012 \|align=left\|21 February 2013 \| 7	3	3	1	{{#expr: 3 / 7 * 100 round 2}}
align=left\|Umm Salal \|{{fbicon\|Qatar}} \|align=left\|13 March 2013 \|align=left\|30 September 2013 \| 11	4	2	5	{{#expr: 4 / 11 * 100 round 2}}
align=left\|China \|— \|align=left\|28 February 2014 \|align=left\|8 January 2016 \| 28	15	9	4	{{#expr: 15 / 28 * 100 round 2}}
align=left\|Nancy \|{{fbicon\|France}} \|align=left\|27 October 2018 \|align=left\|30 June 2019 \| 30	14	4	12	{{#expr: 14 / 30 * 100 round 2}}
colspan="4"\|Total ! 707	300	188	219	{{#expr: 300 / 707 * 100 round 2}}