Gérald Baticle new U21 coach

Following the Executive Committee meeting this Friday, the French Football Federation is pleased to announce the appointment of Gérald Baticle as coach of the French Under 21 team until July 2025.

Gérald Baticle, 54, acted as assistant coach to Thierry Henry in the French Under 21 team from 2023 to 2024, after having held the position of head coach at SCO Angers (2021-2022) and assistant coach at Olympique Lyonnais (2011-2021). A former striker, he played 365 Ligue 1 matches for several French clubs including Amiens SC, AJ Auxerre, RC Strasbourg, FC Metz, ES Troyes and Le Havre AC.

Silver medalist with the French Olympic Team this summer, Gérald Baticle will start work with Les Bleuets with two qualifying matches for the U21 Euros, firstly against Slovenia (September 6th in Angers) and then Bosnia-Herzegovina (September 10th in Le Mans). He will unveil his first squad of players on Thursday August 29th.

Philippe Diallo, FFF President: “It was important to choose a coach who would continue the good work done by Thierry Henry as the head of Les Bleuets. Gérald Baticle, his assistant, seemed the natural choice to take the baton. His experience as a coach and his knowledge of French football are important assets in guiding our young talents towards success. His first mission will be to qualify for the 2025 U21 Euros in Slovakia.”

Gérald Baticle, France U21 Coach: "I am very honoured to have been appointed coach of the French Under 21 team. I thank the Federation and its president for entrusting me with this important mission. I would like to thank Thierry Henry, who placed his trust in me as his assistant. I am fully in line with the work that we have carried out together."