Stéphane Guivarc'h, the sad end

Stéphane Guivarc'h experienced his finest day as a footballer on July 12, 1998 against Brazil. And this despite the missed opportunities in the final. But this world champion title marked a break in the career of the Finistère striker. In the process, the former Auxerrois headed to Newcastle. The start of the problems. Particularly physical. “My physical problems began after the World Cup whereas, until then, I had rather been spared from problems in my career,” he told Ouest France on the occasion of the 20^e anniversary of the 1998 coronation.

The native of Trégunc also had to deal with a change of coach at the Mapies. “The coach who brought me in, Kenny Dalglish, got fired and was replaced by Ruud Gullit, a disrespectful guy. He didn’t want me to train with them anymore, and I never knew why,” he whispered. Just six months after his arrival in the north of England, Stéphane Guivarc'h headed to Scotland, for a half-season stint with Glasgow Rangers, before returning to Auxerre just a year after his departure.

Stéphané Guivarc'h was only 31 years old

If he has somewhat regained his splendor in Yonne, the world champion will not stay there forever. After two years, in Auxerre, Stéphane Guivarch decided to break his contract to return to Guingamp and be closer to his parents. “I came back to Brittany because my mother fell very ill. I didn't want to leave my father alone during this period, so to best support my mother and support my father, I came back close to my loved ones.”xpliqua-t-il.

But this return to Brittany was cut short. Blame it on a knee injury. One too many since the French striker finally had to resolve to end his career at the end of the season after only 12 matches and one meager goal, just four years after the coronation of July 12. He was still only 31 years old. “It’s high time for me to end this. It's been too difficult for too long. The cartilage in my knee suffered a lot and it's been four months since I last touched a ball. It's not worth going straight for a prosthesis,” he announced, before devoting himself to his new life. Particularly as a swimming pool seller…