Rouxel Interview - FIFA Training Centre

Lionel Rouxel, head of the French Football Association’s (FFF) men’s youth teams from U15 to U20, gives us an in depth insight into his career in the game and the key role he plays in the youth training system in France.

After enjoying an extensive playing career in the professional ranks of French football, Lionel Rouxel transitioned to become a youth coach. An influential figure at the French FA since 2014, Rouxel offers us the full low‑down on his role as head of France’s men’s youth teams.

Watch interview

Part 1: Introduction and overview of role

Part 2: Implementing a common footballing philosophy

Read summary

Part 1: Introduction and overview of role
In the first part of the interview, Rouxel recaps his playing career and his subsequent transition to coaching. As well as overseeing the FFF’s men’s youth teams from U15 to U20, he currently serves as head coach of the U19s. In this opening section, Rouxel outlines the various tasks involved in his double‑hatted role.

Part 2: Implementing a common footballing philosophy
In the second part of the interview, Rouxel explains how he led the creation and implementation of a common footballing philosophy across the French FA’s youth teams in 2020. Created based on an analysis of several phases of the game and discussions with the national‑team coaches, Rouxel explains the tactical set‑up adopted by the FFF’s men’s youth teams and the logistics involved in developing the country’s youth players.