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. He is currently working at FC Girondins de Bordeaux.
The former midfielder and captain of Bordeaux was known as a rough player during his footballer career. He played his first match on November 7th, 1986 with Toulouse FC against Paris Saint-Germain.
On October 24th 2003 Michel Pavón became head coach at FC Girondins de Bordeaux to replace Élie Baup, who whad been fired. In the season 2004-2005 Pavón has been suffering from a heart problem which caused him to miss the last three games of the season. Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud announced in June 2005 that Michel Pavón was standing down, not able to coach the club the next season. Pavón continued his work at the club in a scouting function. Brazilian coach Ricardo has succeeded Pavón.
Michel Pavón started his professional football career with Toulouse. He was born in the Marseille region to a Spanish father and a French mother. In his long period at Toulouse, he was selected for the French U21 team and had a successful last season scoring seven goals. To search for more success, he left Toulouse and changed for Montpellier where he signed a 2-year contract. When this contract was over, Girondins Bordeaux became interested and signed the midfielder. Just two months after his arrival he felt home like playing ten years in Bordeaux. He was admired by the Bordeaux supporters and on the ground because of his enthusiastic play and hard working. He has become the captain of the team within a short period. As captain of the club, they reached the finals of the Coupe de la Ligue in 1997 and 1998 and won the French league in 1999. He remembered the change of attendance during his Bordeaux period. When he arrived in 1996 and his departure in 2000, the Parc Lescure supporters increased from 18000 to 33000. In his last seasons with Bordeaux it was ruumoured that he would move to Marseille. However raised in the Marseille region, he already gave his heart to Bordeaux and ignored the rumours. Michel Pavón played his last match August 26 (Bordeaux - Lens) and left the Girondins after four successful seasons to return to his native country. He signed a 3-year contract for Real Betis leaving Bordeaux with pain in his heart but with good memories. Already after one season, Pavón decided to hang up his boots after suffering from a bad injury.
Michel Pavón has played for:
- Toulouse FC season 1986-1987 to 1993-1994, 197 matches and 29 goals ;
- Montpellier Hérault SC season 1994-1995 to 1995-1996, 53 matches and 9 goals ;
- FC Girondins de Bordeaux season 1996-1997 to 1999-2000, 128 matches and 4 goals ;
- Real Betis season 2000-2001.
