Eric Cantona

Football Career

Domestic

Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona was born in Marseille, France on May 24^th, 1966. He joined local club, SO Caillolais, and at the age of nine, his coaches claimed that he played as if he were fifteen[1]. In 1981, Cantona transferred to Auxerre’s youth team. It was a short two years before he was called up to the senior squad, making his professional debut against Nancy in a 4-0 victory[2]. Expectations were high for the powerful center-forward, but Cantona would have to wait another six years before he claimed dominance in French football. He achieved his first Ligue 1 title in 1989 with Marseille, the team he supported as a boy[3]. Because of his short temper, a number of French teams including Bordeaux, Montpellier, and Nimes gave him trials but none wanted him permanently[4]. In 1991, Cantona crossed the English Channel to join Leeds United. After a somewhat successful first season with Leeds, Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson decided to swoop for a much needed striker in the form of Eric Cantona for a fee of 1.2 million pounds.

Sir Alex’s greatest signing?

---

At United, Cantona was on a mission to reestablish himself and rightfully earn the praise he had always dreamed of. After struggling to make an impression on his debut against Benfica, Cantona gradually found his footing and through his creativity, Manchester United’s style of play improved[1]. In his first season with the Red Devils, he proved to be a valuable asset to the team, helping Manchester United claim the first ever Premier League title, ending a barren spell that dated back to 1967. Over the next five years, Cantona would emerge as a hero to Manchester United supporters. After earning 185 caps, netting 82 goals, winning four league titles and two FA cups for United, Cantona decided to call time on his professional football career[2]. Manchester United continued dominance in English football has often been traced back to when Ferguson made the risky decision to sign the hot-headed forward.

---

International

Unlike Cantona’s domestic career, his stint with the French international team was short-lived. In 1987, French Manager, Henri Michel called upon Eric Cantona to play against West Germany[7]. A year later, Cantona was dropped from the team and in the aftermath issued an insane verbal attack in a post-match interview where he referred to Michel as a “bag of shit.” After verbally attacking Coach Michel on television, Cantona was suspended from all international matches until the end of Michel’s reign[8]. Lucky for Cantona, Michel was replaced after failing to qualify for the 1990 World Cup, allowing Michel Platini, a great admirer of Cantona, to take charge[9].

In preparation for Euro 96, Cantona was given the captain’s armband by the coach at the time, Amie Jacquet. He remained captain until his infamous Selhurst Park Incident in January 1995. By the time his suspension had been completed, Cantona had lost his place in the squad to a certain Zinedine Zidane. The new French team was being built around bright youths such as Zidane. Even though he was arguable playing his best football for Manchester United, Cantona was permanently axed from the national team.

---

The New Cantona

As soon as Eric Cantona gained epic iconic status with the Manchester United faithful, Sir Alex Ferguson knew he would have a daunting task ahead of him when the Frenchman finally called time on his career. One of the aspects that Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson in particular is most famous for is producing the next crop of youthful players to replace the ‘Old Guard.’ For United, Cantona brought flair, arrogance, brilliance, and most importantly, leadership. After the 1996-97 season, Ferguson needed a new captain marvel and he found it in the form of Roy Keane.

Keane was Cantona’s understudy at United for five years. Even before Cantona retired, Keane had learned all he needed to know from his French teammate. He was the rock that sat in front of Manchester United’s back four, breaking down opponent’s attack with his ‘no nonsense’ tackles. Keane not only learned great leadership skills through Cantona, but also his short temper. From bust-ups with managers to horrific career-ending tackles, Keane, like Cantona, had his fair share of disciplinary problems. But without those crunching tackles or wild verbal outburst, our memory of Roy Keane would not be the same as it is today. Keane continued where Cantona had left off, winning league after league with Manchester united and establishing English dominance for another decade.

Accolades

Marseille

• Ligue 1: 1989, 1991
• Coupe de France: 1988

Montpellier

• Coupe de France: 1990

Leeds United

• Football League First Division: 1991-92
• Charity Shield : 1992

Manchester United

• Premier League: 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97
• FA Cup: 1993-94, 1995-96
• Charity Shield: 1993, 1994, 1996

Individual

• PFA Players’ Player of the Year: 1994
• FWA Footballer of the Year: 1996

 

A Tribute to ‘The King’

Below is a number of fitting tributes that followers, fans, and worshipers have posted about Eric Catnona including his fan-base website: http://www.ericcantona.com/

A compilation video of his magical moments and majestic goals: [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/u5AYzOLE3XI" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

And his career in photos

Return to European Icons of the 1980s and 1990s

[1] Wightman, Rob. “Eric Cantona.” FourFourTwo Great Footballers: Eric Cantona 9 May 2002: Print.

 

Marseille

• Ligue 1: 1989, 1991
• Coupe de France: 1988

Montpellier

• Coupe de France: 1990

Leeds United

• Football League First Division: 1991-92
• Charity Shield : 1992

Manchester United

• Premier League: 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97
• FA Cup: 1993-94, 1995-96
• Charity Shield: 1993, 1994, 1996

Individual

• PFA Players’ Player of the Year: 1994
• FWA Footballer of the Year: 1996