Michel Pavon
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.
Michel Pavón was born in the Marseille region to a Spanish father and a French mother, and started his professional football career with Toulouse, playing his first match on November 7th, 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, where he signed a 2-year contract. When this contract was over, Girondins Bordeaux became interested and signed the midfielder. There, 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. The team reached the finals of the Coupe de la Ligue in 1997 and 1998 and won the French league in 1999. In his last seasons with Bordeaux, it was rumoured that he would move to Olympique de Marseille. Although raised in the Marseille region, he gave his heart to Bordeaux and ignored the rumours. Michel Pavón played his last match on August 26 2000 (Bordeaux-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.
On October 24th 2003 Michel Pavón became head coach at FC Girondins de Bordeaux to replace Élie Baup, who whad been fired. In 2004-2005 Pavón suffered 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 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 Ricardo Gomes took charge after those events.
Club career
- 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
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