Famous French Coaches

Patrick Mouratoglou is a renowned French tennis coach, sports commentator, and successful businessman. He established the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in 1996 and has coached numerous promising players throughout his career. Notable proteges include Marcos Baghdatis, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and Grigor Dimitrov. He is widely recognized for his coaching tenure with tennis legend Serena Williams from 2012 to 2022. Mouratoglou's expertise and dedication have solidified his reputation as a top coach in the tennis world, with a track record of developing top-tier talent.

Corinne Diacre is a French professional football manager and former player known for her career as a defender with Soyaux in Division 1. She also represented the France national team from 1993 to 2005, serving as captain for much of that period. In 2014, she made history by becoming the first woman to coach a men's professional football team in France with Clermont. She later transitioned to coaching the French women's national team, a role she held until March 2023, marked by notable controversies.

Gilles Cervara is a highly accomplished French tennis coach known for his work with top players such as Daniil Medvedev. He began coaching in 2007 and has since played a key role in Medvedev's success, helping him win numerous ATP Tour singles titles and achieve the prestigious World No. 1 ranking. Cervara's experience as a hitting partner for notable players like Thomas Enqvist, Justine Henin, and Marat Safin has further solidified his reputation in the tennis world. He was recognized by his peers with the Coach of the Year award in 2019 and received subsequent nominations in 2020 and 2021.

T. J. Parker is a French-American former professional basketball player turned professional coach. Throughout his career, he showcased exceptional skills on the basketball court, earning recognition for his talent and dedication. Following his retirement as a player, Parker seamlessly transitioned into coaching, utilizing his deep understanding of the game to mentor and develop players. His experience as a player enables him to provide valuable insights and guidance to aspiring athletes, shaping the next generation of basketball talent through his coaching expertise.

Fabrice Santoro is a French former professional tennis player known for his successful career in both singles and doubles. He gained popularity for his unique playing style with two-handed shots on both forehand and backhand sides. Santoro holds several ATP records, including the most career wins over top ten opponents for a player who never reached the top ten and the most French Open appearances. He achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 17 and won six singles titles along with multiple doubles championships. Currently, he serves as the coach of Canadian player Milos Raonic.

Laurent Landi is a prominent French artistic gymnastics coach and retired gymnast. He has an extensive coaching background, having worked at prestigious gymnastics academies such as the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy and the World Champions Centre. Landi is renowned for his role as the Women's Team director at the World Champions Centre, where he serves as the head coach to the legendary gymnast Simone Biles. Throughout his career, Landi has successfully coached world and Olympic champions, including Madison Kocian and Alyssa Baumann.

Cécile Canqueteau-Landi is a notable figure in the world of gymnastics, having a successful career both as a gymnast and as a coach. She competed at the 1996 Olympics and has since transitioned into coaching. She has worked at reputable gymnastics centers such as the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy and currently coaches at the World Champions Centre in Texas. With over a decade of coaching experience, she has honed her skills and expertise in guiding aspiring gymnasts towards achieving their full potential.

Nathalie Tauziat is a retired French professional tennis player and coach. She achieved significant success in both singles and doubles, reaching a career-high ranking of world No. 3 in both categories. Tauziat was the runner-up in women's singles at the 1998 Wimbledon Championships and in women's doubles at the 2001 US Open. She has transitioned to coaching, working with players such as Bianca Andreescu and Harmony Tan. Tauziat's expertise and experience have made her a valuable asset in the world of professional tennis coaching.

Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi is a former French slalom canoeist with an extensive professional career spanning from 1979 to 1996. Throughout her career, she competed at the international level, showcasing her exceptional skills and dedication to the sport. Fox-Jerusalmi's contributions to slalom canoeing have left a lasting impact, inspiring future generations of athletes. Her achievements and performances have solidified her reputation as a respected and accomplished figure within the world of canoeing, earning her a well-deserved place in the sport's history.

Didier Dinart is a retired French handball player turned coach of US Ivry Handball. He played for BM Ciudad Real in Spain and Montpellier HB in France, earning a reputation as one of the world's best defensive players. Known as "La Roca" in Spain, he has won all major handball titles and participated in four Olympic Games, clinching gold in Beijing 2008 and London 2012. Dinart's enduring career and numerous achievements solidify his status as a handball legend.

Jean-Louis Michel was a renowned master in the art of fencing, known for his exceptional skills and expertise in the field. He was highly regarded as one of the leading exponents of fencing during the nineteenth century. Michel's professional life was characterized by his dedication to perfecting the techniques and principles of fencing, earning him widespread acclaim for his mastery of the art. His contributions to the world of fencing solidified his reputation as a prominent figure in the history of this martial art.

Guillaume Alain Gille is a retired French handball player who has since transitioned into coaching. Throughout his career, he achieved significant success by winning gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. Gille's expertise and experience in the sport have led him to his current role as the coach of the French national handball team. His dedication to handball has not only brought him personal accolades but has also allowed him to contribute to the development and success of the sport at a national level.