PARIS: Henri Michel, the France international midfielder who went on to coach his country to Olympic gold in 1976, has died aged 70.

Michel, who coached eight countries in a 30-year managerial career, was capped 58 times by France and coached the senior national team in succession to Michel Hidalgo from 1984 to 1988.

He led France, Cameroon, Morocco and Ivory Coast at the World Cup, and also had spells in charge of the United Arab Emirates, Equatorial Guinea and Kenya.

Michel won three league titles during a 16-year playing career with Nantes.

His coaching career began with the France team, who won gold at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. They also reached the World Cup semi-finals in 1986.

He was appointed Cameroon boss in 1994; began the first of two spells with Morocco in 1995; took charge of the United Arab Emirates in 2000; was appointed Tunisia coach in 2001; and became Ivory Coast boss in 2004.

Michel returned to Morocco in 2007 before coaching Equatorial Guinea and Kenya.

He also worked with Paris St-Germain and some of Africa’s leading club sides, including two spells in charge of Zamalek in Egypt and Morocco’s Raja Casablanca, as well as South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.

##############