When he was appointed in 2015, Lionel Rouxel already boasted a wealth of experience coaching fledgling talents, having spent eight years in charge of the U-18s at Guingamp. This was a familiar environment for the former forward, who made his debut as a player at the Breton outfit and went on to enjoy four superb seasons there, striking up a lethal partnership with Stephane Guivarc'h that was instrumental in the club's meteoric rise from the French third division to the UEFA Cup.