Laurent Guyot will take charge of his 200th match as FC Annecy manager this Friday away to Dunkerque in Ligue 2. The eighth-round fixture, kicking off at 20:00 at the Stade Marcel-Tribut, marks exceptional longevity for the 56-year-old coach, who has been in charge since May 2021.

Arriving in Haute-Savoie to succeed Rémi Dru, Guyot immediately wrote his name into the club's history. In his first season, he guided Annecy from the National league to Ligue 2, a return to the second tier the club had not experienced since 1993. The following campaign featured a memorable run to the Coupe de France semi-finals, including a penalty-shootout victory over Olympique de Marseille (2-2, 7-6). The journey ended with a narrow defeat to eventual winners Toulouse (1-2).

Valuable Stability

This continuity is a major asset for a club that faced summer turbulence in 2023 with uncertainties over its Ligue 2 status before finally being confirmed. Guyot, initially extended until 2026, now has his commitment secured until 2028. He is the only active manager with such seniority across France's top two divisions. "What's important for me, more than this number, is to be doing a sixth year at the same club," said Laurent Guyot. "Taking the time to implement a strategy, a philosophy… that's what pleases me. I consider myself privileged."

The manager added that he initially thought time would pass slowly, but the club's intense activity made the years fly by. His team approaches this special match aiming to break a negative streak. Annecy, seventh in the table with 10 points, has lost its last two league games despite taking the lead in both. Midfielder Clément Billemaz, who scored against Dijon in the last Ligue 2 outing, confirmed the group's desire to avoid a third consecutive defeat. Captain Ahmed Kashi will miss the match due to a knee injury.

The team prepared for the restart with six training sessions per week during the international break and two friendlies against Swiss sides. Their form reads two wins, one draw, and two defeats from the last five official outings. The challenge against Dunkerque, 12th but the only team to beat leaders Saint-Étienne this season, awaits. Supporters can check the team's upcoming schedule on our fixtures page and the league situation on standings. Laurent Guyot's contract runs until June 2028. In the league, the team has scored its 9 goals over a total of 540 minutes of play, averaging a goal every 60 minutes.

The original report is at foot-national.com