Stéphane Gilli Takes the Helm at Angers SCO in a Three-Year Deal
Stéphane Gilli has officially been named the new head coach of Angers SCO, signing a contract that keeps him with the Noir et Blanc through 2028, according to the club’s official announcement. Free since his departure from the Paris FC in February 2026, the 52-year-old manager steps into the vacancy left by the recent departure of Alexandre Dujeuх, bringing a wealth of tactical experience from both French professional football and international selections.
A Long Apprenticeship Alongside Mécha Baždarević
Before stepping into the primary role, Gilli spent a massive portion of his career serving as an assistant coach. Most notably, for 16 years between 2003 and 2019, he was the faithful right-hand man to Bosnian manager Mécha Baždarević. The pair first connected at the end of the 1990s and subsequently forged a partnership that spanned multiple continents and club benches.
According to Angers SCO, Gilli’s nomadic journey alongside Baždarević included stints at Istres FC, ES Sahel in Tunisia, Al-Wakrah in Qatar across two separate periods, Grenoble Foot 38, FC Sochaux, and the Bosnia-Herzegovina national team. After Baždarević departed the Paris FC in late 2019, Gilli briefly took the managerial reins as a caretaker for a single match before sliding back into an assistant role under René Girard.
International Prestige and Transition to Head Coach
Gilli expanded his resume further in the summer of 2020 by joining the coaching staff of the Morocco national team. Working under Vahid Halilhodzić and later Hussein Ammouta, he spent two years honing his skills on the international stage before making his definitive shift back to club management.
In July 2023, Gilli returned to the Paris FC, this time claiming the title of head coach. His debut season ended with a fifth-place finish and a heartbreaking defeat in the Ligue 1 promotion play-off quarterfinals. Undeterred, he steered the Parisian club to a stellar second-place finish the following year, securing promotion to the top flight. He managed the side through 26 matches this current season before exiting the club in February 2026.
The Vision for Angers SCO
Laurent Boissier spearheaded the recruitment effort, noting that the choice felt completely natural and received full validation from the Chairman of the Supervisory Board. Jérôme Negroni, speaking for the club administration, praised Gilli’s rigor and vision.
For his part, Gilli emphasized the importance of collective cohesion as he takes over the dressing room. “Je suis très fier de rejoindre le projet angevin, j’ai envie de faire la meilleure saison possible,” Gilli noted, calling upon the club’s loyal supporters to play an instrumental role in the upcoming campaign alongside the backroom staff.
What Lies Ahead for the Noir et Blanc
With a multi-year commitment stretching until 2028, Gilli has the administrative backing required to build a sustainable sporting project in the Maine-et-Loire department. The immediate challenge involves integrating his tactical philosophies into a squad transitioning away from the Dujeuх era. As Angers looks to stabilize its standing, Gilli’s extensive tactical grounding offers a reassuring anchor for fans and players alike.
