Roger Lemerre
An impressive two-year spell saw him earn a transfer to Monaco in 1997 and he experienced his first taste of success, winning Division 1 in 2000. Sagnol also played in Jean Tigana's talented Monaco team which knocked Manchester United out of the UEFA Champions League in 1998 on away goals after a 1–1 draw at Old Trafford. His excellent form saw him pressing for a call up to represent "Les Bleus", but he was initially overlooked by national coach Roger Lemerre.