Sauzee article

[Hibee-Dan]

FRANCK SAUZEE admits he danced another jig of joy when he heard Mixu Paatelainen had been appointed manager of Hibs.

The former Easter Road favourite made a whistlestop trip to Scotland this week - the first time he has returned to the country since his departure in 2002.

He jetted back to France earlier this morning but promised Hibs fans he will be back at some point in the summer to renew his love affair with the support who still fondly refer to him as Le God.

Sauzee, 42, was at Ibrox on Thursday night as an analyst for French sports channel Canal Plus, who televised the UEFA Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Sporting Lisbon live.

He passed up the chance to stay in Glasgow for three days in favour of a base in the capital where he became a hero, to half the population at least, during his three years in Leith.

Sauzee also had an unsuccessful spell as manager of Hibs and was axed after only two months but he bears no ill towards the club.

Indeed, he met pal Paatelainen in Edinburgh yesterday for coffee and a catch-up on the times when they regularly put Hearts to the sword, including a 6-2 defeat in 2000 when the current boss scored a hat-trick and celebrated by grabbing the former Champions League winner for a jaunty dance around Easter Road.

The memory still brings a smile to Sauzee's face - and he's backing Paatelainen to succeed where he failed as a boss by bringing more good times back to the club.

Sauzee said: "I was so happy when I heard Mixu had been appointed manager of Hibs and I still consider myself lucky to have been his team-mate.

"He's one of those guys you could always rely on, home or away. He's a fighter with an unbelievable mentality, very strong, and he has tremendous experience in his career.

"We were together at Hibs for three wonderful years and those special games against Hearts are the ones I remember most, especially the 6-2 win when we performed that special dance.

"Mixu can do a great job for Hibs because he has all the qualities to be a top manager. When you are honest and work with passion and know football in the way he does it's such a benefit.

"It is fantastic to be back in Scotland.

It's difficult for me to translate exactly my depth of feeling for this country.

"During my three years here I felt part of a love story between me, Scotland and Hibs. I always feel welcome here and I will return later in the year and stay longer. I know things did not work out for me as manager. Everyone is given roles in life and mine was to learn my job as coach at the club but the chairman and the board decided to go in another direction.

"I have no bitterness or anger about that. I'm not that type of man and Hibs will always be close to my heart.

"I still keep an eye on Scottish football and was in Stuttgart earlier this season with Canal Plus to watch Rangers in the Champions League.

"But, of course, I still pay attention to Hibs because the three years I spent at the club were a wonderful part of my life.

"I'm really impressed with the structure of the club at the moment. It's important in the modern game that clubs feature young players who are learning the job and older professionals to add experience and they have a good balance.

"Rangers and Celtic are a level above everyone else in the country in terms of their financial power. But it will be fantastic to see Hibs go for third place under Mixu and stay there for the next three or four years."

Sauzee, who also works as an observer for the French League, revealed he will be more than happy to tip the wink to Paatelainen for potential targets in a French market.

And he also hinted at a possible involvement with Hibs in the future, not as boss, although he refused to elaborate.

He added: "I maybe have a plan for Hibs.

I'm not talking about coming back as manager but this plan is why I also wanted to meet with Mixu."

If Sauzee reckons Paatelainen is ready to go places at Easter Road he also insists the man who brought him to Scottish football is heading to the top of the game.

He lavished praise on ex-Hibs gaffer Alex McLeish and admits his heart broke when Big Eck narrowly failed to lead Scotland to Euro 2008, even after that memorable win in Paris last year.

Sauzee said: "My opinion is that in a few years Alex will be manager of Manchester United. He's passionate, intelligent, never stops thinking about the game and he's learning more and more about the job.

"The work he did with the Scottish national team was absolutely fantastic. I watched on television that night when James McFadden scored in the Parc des Princes and it's a shame Scotland did not qualify for the finals because they deserved it.

"I can never forget that last qualifying game against Italy at Hampden. That foul, that led to the winning goal for the Italians - it was such a scandal.

"I was mad, sitting in front of my television shouting, 'How is it possible for the referee to call a foul? Unbelievable! I understood exactly why the Scottish people were so disappointed not to progress."

[LouiseG1875]

Good article!!!
Sauzee back as Mixus right hand man??

[Norwayhibs]

THERE IS ONLY ONE SAUZEE.

[Stew the Hibee]

He added: "I maybe have a plan for Hibs.

I'm not talking about coming back as manager but this plan is why I also wanted to meet with Mixu."

Imagine that coaching team, Mixu and Le God.

[madkink]

Originally Posted by Stew the Hibee

He added: "I maybe have a plan for Hibs.

I'm not talking about coming back as manager but this plan is why I also wanted to meet with Mixu."

Imagine that coaching team, Mixu and Le God.

as gabriel said 'dreams can come true'

[Smurf]

I don't think Le God will be coming back in any full time role at Hibs.

Nice read.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Franck Sauzee

I maybe have a plan for Hibs.

Gave me a lump in my throat that did.

Even if he's only thinking about matchday catering, you know it would be the best catering in the world! Hurry home Faranck.

[Dazza]

I agree just reading about the old times made me smile especially when i remember that dance, hopefully the plan is gonna happen over the summer sometime when he plans to come back for longer maybe he meant permanantly???

I agree though what player wouldn't wanna come with those two as a management team.

[Mapleleaf Hibee]

Originally Posted by Smurf

I don't think Le God will be coming back in any full time role at Hibs.

Nice read.

agree but how about French scout, mans knows about talent and Hibs seems a perfect fit

[Vini1875]

Considering he is doing lots of TV work I would guess that he is talking about doing some scouting for Hibs. I think having a guy like Franck keeping an eye out for young talent will be a very good thing.

[Matt-1875-C]

HAIL FRANCK SAUZEE

[Bogie]

Franck, you're still my hero and always will be. I'd love to see you come home some day...

[Bartok]

He added: "I maybe have a plan for Hibs.

I'm not talking about coming back as manager but this plan is why I also wanted to meet with Mixu."

That wording is very interesting. Franck's English is good enough for us to be certain he's not talking about a coaching job. It's a plan for Hibs

[Blackbeard]

Great reading - The Diddy Wreckord finally climbs out of the gutter.

[1875]

Franck, je t'aime.

[CraigourGreen]

He jetted back to France earlier this morning but promised Hibs fans he will be back at some point in the summer to renew his love affair with the support who still fondly refer to him as Le God.
would love to see Franck back at easter rd, hope its soon

[Greenmachine]

It would be great to have someone of the stature of Franck Sauzee working for the club as perhaps a scout in the French leagues or something like that.

[thumbs]

sounds to me like he's got plans to invest in the club rather than get involved in coaching....

[CraigHFC]

Is he not involved with St. Ettienne? Or was that just a rumour?

If he is then he may be thinking of forming a link between the two clubs?

If not then probably a scouting role in France like others have said already.

[Keepitgreen]

Well if that's not the best post on the Bounce I've read in ages

He is held in a very high regard in French football; any young players there would look up to him and his advice a lot. Scouting for us would be fantastic.

Bienvenue Franck!

[Bingo70]

Originally Posted by thumbs

sounds to me like he's got plans to invest in the club rather than get involved in coaching....

that was my thoughts as well, however if this was the case shirley he'd be meeting the tache not mixu

[madkink]

Originally Posted by Bingo70

that was my thoughts as well, however if this was the case shirley he'd be meeting the tache not mixu

unless he is insisting that all his investment goes to mixu for players, and he was mayby asking Mixu how much he would need

[mixu_dave]

Would love to see Franck Sauzee back at E.R, in any capacity he wants, the man is a true Hibernian great!