Michel Pavon

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Michel Pavón (born November 7, 1968 in La Ciotat, Bouches-du-Rhône, France) is a former French football midfielder, known as a hard-working player during his footballer career.

[edit] Club career

Pavón was born in the Marseille region to a Spanish father and a French mother, and started his professional football career with Toulouse FC, playing his first match on November 7, 1986 against Paris Saint-Germain. In his long period at Toulouse, he was selected for the French U21 team and had a successful last season scoring seven goals.

In 1994 he left Toulouse and changed for Montpellier Hérault SC, where he signed a 2-year contract. When this contract was over, he signed with FC Girondins de Bordeaux, where he garnered a firm fan base due to his enthusiastic play and hard work. He became the captain of the team within a short period, helping it reach the 1997 and 1998 League Cup finals, also winning the French league in 1999.

In his last seasons with Bordeaux, it was rumoured that Pavón would move to Olympique de Marseille. Although raised in the Marseille region, he gave his heart to Bordeaux and ignored the rumours. He played his last match on August 26 2000 (Bordeaux-RC Lens) and left the Girondins after four successful seasons to play in his father's native country. He signed a 3-year contract for Real Betis. However, after just one season, Pavón decided to hang up his boots after suffering a serious injury.

[edit] Coaching career

On October 24, 2003, Michel Pavón became head coach at Bordeaux, replacing dismissed Élie Baup. In 2004-2005, he suffered from a heart problem which caused him to miss the last three games of the season. Team president Jean-Louis Triaud announced in June 2005 that Pavón was standing down, not able to coach the club the next season. He continued his work at the club in a scouting function, as Brazilian Ricardo Gomes took charge.

[edit] Club statistics

• Toulouse FC: 1986-1994 - 197 matches, 29 goals
• Montpellier Hérault SC: 1994-1996 - 53, 9
• FC Girondins de Bordeaux: 1996-2000 - 128, 4
• Real Betis: 2000-2001 (no games)

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