A thought for Jean-Louis Leonetti
Paris Saint-Germain mourns the passing for former player Jean-Louis Leonetti. He was 82 years of age.
Known for his straight talking, Jean-Louis Leonetti was the only professional player to play for Paris Saint-Germain from 1971 to 1972 before returning to the club after the split in 1973, at the request of Justo Fontaine.
At 17 years of age, Leonetti joined Marseille, winning the Coupe Drago in 1957 before playing for Nice, Le Havre, Rouen, Bordeaux, Aix and Angoulême before joining Paris Saint-Germain in 1971.
After a successful first season in the capital, he, along with the rest of the professional squad, joined Paris FC, however he remained a year without playing. He rejoined Daniel Hechter's Paris Saint-Germain and helped them to promotion to the top flight, while Paris FC was relegated that same season.
In 1974, he became coach of the reserve team and oversaw the emergence of the club's first home-grown talents such as Jean-Marc Pilorget, Thierry Morin, François Brisson and Lionel Justier. On 5 September 1981, the club organised his jubilee at the Parc des Princes with his teammate Jean-Pierre Dogliani, against Argentine side Boca Juniors.
He returned to Marseille where he coached Stade Marseillais Université Club (SMUC) and became a real estate agent before retiring. He passed away yesterday at 82 years of age.
Paris Saint-Germain offers heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.