Gregory Vignal is targeting a manager role in Scotland, where he has made his home and built a coaching career. The 45-year-old former Rangers and Liverpool defender left his post as Blackburn Rovers' Under-21 boss and is now seeking a first-team opportunity in Scottish football.
Deep roots in Scotland
Vignal spent a year on loan at Rangers in 2004, during which he won a title as part of the famous Helicopter Sunday triumph. He has since continued to live in Scotland with his family, buying land and building a house there.
"People don’t realise that I still live in Scotland because I love the country and I love Scottish football," he told Record Sport. "When I moved to Glasgow 22 years ago, it was amazing straight away. I enjoy the culture here and the people. I decided to buy some land here and build a house for my family. We're really happy."
His family in France reportedly joke that he is half-Scottish, and his father would prefer him to find work in Scotland rather than return home. Vignal said: "My family keeps telling me: ‘You are only half-French and half-Scottish’. My dad is in France but he doesn’t want me going back there. He actually wants me to get a job here."
Coaching experience and philosophy
Vignal has worked in the academies of Rangers, Dundee, and Blackburn Rovers, and has coached five players in Sebastien Pocognoli's Scotland squad: Nathan Patterson, Robbie Ure, Findlay Curtis, Krist Montgomery, and Luke Graham. He has also held roles at Montpellier, Marseille, Versailles, and RFS in Latvia.
He holds a UEFA Pro Licence and has gained first-team management experience at French club Versailles. Having played under Gerard Houllier, Rafa Benitez, and Alex McLeish, he feels he has learned from some of the best coaches in the game.
"I’ve been lucky in my career as a player to work with different types of coaches from different cultures. I’ve seen a lot of different philosophies," he said. "Now, I want to show my own way. I’m an aggressive coach who likes to play exciting, attacking football in possession. I like the 4-3-3 formation. But I really like my teams to be compact."
Ready for the right opportunity
Vignal believes his record in developing young players should stand him in good stead. At Blackburn, eight Under-21 players progressed to the first team, including Kristi who earned a Scotland call-up. He said: "I feel I have a lot to offer young players in Scotland. I’ve worked with many who are now involved in international football."
He is clear about what he seeks in a club. "It has to be the right club, with a chairman or sporting director who supports you in what you’re trying to do," he said. "I’m a foreign coach but I have the advantage of spending so much time in the UK and especially Scotland. I know the game here. But it’s about getting the right opportunity."
Motherwell have found success with foreign coaches Jens Berthel-Askou and current boss Alfred Johansson, while Hearts and Hibs have appointed Wouter Vrancken and Marink Reedijk respectively. Vignal hopes for a similar chance, saying: "I just want to prove to myself and other people that I’m ready. This is where I want to be."
