Paul Frantz, French football player and manager, Died at 89

Paul Frantz was born on March 10, 1927, and died on September 30, 2016.

He was a French football player and manager.

He was a physical education teacher.

Paul never played as a professional, a fact that did not prevent him from earning his 3rd level manager degree – necessary to coach pro teams in France – as valedictorian in 1958.

Frantz was the first manager with no experience as a pro player to do that.

He had several spells with amateur teams, he was named manager of RC Strasbourg in 1964.

Frants led the Strasbourg team to a good run in the Inter-Cities Fairs cup in 1964–1965 ousting AC Milan and FC Barcelona before falling to Manchester United in the quarter finals.

Then after a year later, he led the Strasbourg side to victory in the Coupe de France, defeating FC Nantes 1:0.

During the next season, he was in charge of Karlsruher SC and he remains to this date the only French to ever coach a Bundesliga team.

In 1968 he moved back at Strasbourg , Frantz occupied several positions including manager of the first team and director of football until 1976.

Paul had turned down an offer to be manager of the National Team, in 1968.

Paul also managed FC Mulhouse in 1974.

Paul Frantz passed away at 89 years old.