‘New Challenge, New Life, Same Passion,” wrote Saïd Aïgoun on Instagram when he was unveiled as Crystal Palace’s new development coach in July. Now firmly established as an integral part of Patrick Vieira’s backroom staff, the former educational adviser at a Parisian school who is described by those who have worked with him as a “tactical genius” may not be a household name even among Palace supporters.
But after a season when his compatriot has transformed the style of play since taking over from Roy Hodgson last summer, the unassuming 38-year-old has also been credited with playing a major role in Palace’s renaissance as they prepare to face Chelsea in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final.
“I don’t know if English fans really know the quality of Saïd Aïgoun,” says Salim Baungally, a host on the French TV channel RMC who worked with Aïgoun when he was a regular pundit for their Premier League coverage.
“He is a tactical genius who never stops watching games. As a pundit he was very interesting because he would highlight many things that even former players didn’t see.”
Having started out as coach of Paris FC, where he helped develop the future Manchester City signings Olivier Ntcham and Seko Fofana, Aïgoun also worked at Auxerre and Paris Saint-Germain’s academy before receiving a call from Vieira at the start of last year. They were unemployed at the time but it was agreed that Aïgoun would be part of the 1998 World Cup winner’s staff whenever his next opportunity came.
A close friend of Emmanuel Petit – Vieira’s old midfield partner for club and country – after sharing a TV studio with the former Arsenal and Chelsea player, Aïgoun has proved to be a shrewd appointment. The average age of a squad that was the oldest in the Premier League last season has been reduced significantly thanks to some astute acquisitions by the sporting director, Dougie Freedman, while Vieira has introduced an attacking gameplan that is unrecognisable from his predecessor’s safety-first approach.
“The difference is amazing,” says Baungally. “Patrick is the manager and deserves so much credit but I’m sure Saïd has played an important role. He enjoys working with young players like Michael Olise, Marc Guéhi and Eberechi Eze – he loves that. I think it’s important for him to have time to integrate his methods and it’s much easier with young players. You can’t do that with more experienced players who are in their 30s.”
At the last count, six other English clubs – Arsenal, Brentford, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester United and Wolves – employ a dedicated development coach who is tasked with helping young players to integrate into the first team. “I will have a particular focus on the development of professional players, and I will also ensure the transition from the academy to our professional team,” said Aïgoun on his appointment.
“It’s a role that is close to my heart in view of my career and which is very important for Patrick Vieira, who has proven everywhere he has been that he is able to launch young players and make them play well.”
After the opening of the club’s new £20m academy by Gareth Southgate in October, Guéhi’s and Tyrick Mitchell’s first senior call‑ups from the England manager for the friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast in March provided further recognition for Palace’s new approach. But according to Mathieu Faurie, who is RMC’s Premier League reporter, that is not all Aïgoun deserves credit for.
“Saïd has had a lot of attention for working with youth players but he also specialises in tactics and analysing opponents,” he says. “He really looks at the opponent and helps the team adapt to how they are going to play according to his plan. Saïd plays a very important role – he was telling me he has been working seven days a week and never really stops.
“He’s a very calm and quiet guy who prefers to be in the background normally. But on TV he always wanted to explain and analyse the game in a simple and clear way. When Patrick Vieira asked him to make his first speech in front of the team, he told us he was excited but nervous – he’s not the type of person who puts his personality on the frontline.”
With Aïgoun, Vieira and now Olise – called up by France Under-21s in the last international break – such is Palace’s popularity across the Channel these days they have become a regular choice for RMC’s live coverage. “This season we are really interested in them because of Vieira,” says Baungally. “And people want to watch Palace because they are playing some very good football.”
Faurie adds: “There was hype about them at the start of the season because of Vieira and his status in France. People were really interested to see what he could do, particularly because he was sacked by Nice in December 2020, and I think they have been surprised that he has succeeded in such a big league and with a less well-known club.”
Gaining revenge over Chelsea after losing 3-0 to them in his first game in charge in August would certainly be the icing on the cake for Vieira and the Palace chairman, Steve Parish.
As for Aïgoun’s own managerial ambitions, it appears Vieira’s job is safe for now. “Maybe in five years or so he will become a manager but for now I know that his focus is on being an assistant,” says Baungally. “Saïd has a very good reputation with sporting directors everywhere.”
