AS a mentor, Gerard Houllier was like a second father. And in his absence, he’s always had Rafa Benitez or Alex McLeish on the end of a phone.
On top of that, after a career at the top level in France, England, Scotland and Spain, Gregory Vignal has a network of contacts that most football managers could only dream of. Lyon’s sporting director Bruno Cheyrou and PSG’s Yohan Cabaye are just two of the game's major players he has on speed dial. On his way from Montpellier to Liverpool, to Rangers and to Lens - the Frenchman has collected a wealth of experience.
And now he wants to put it all to good use by becoming a top class coach. For the last couple of seasons, he's worked with Dundee’s reserve side, while picking up every UEFA badge there is. He's helped to develop the likes of youngsters Josh Mulligan, Lyall Cameron and Finlay Robertson, who are tipped to light up the Scottish Premiership next term.
