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Olivier Bernard

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Olivier Bernard
Personal information
Full name Olivier Bernard
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2000 Lyon 0 (0)
2000–2005 Newcastle United 102 (6)
2001 → Darlington (loan) 10 (2)
2005 Southampton 13 (0)
2005–2006 Rangers 9 (0)
2006–2007 Newcastle United 0 (0)
Total 134 (8)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:57, 28 October 2010 (UTC)

Olivier Bernard (born 14 October 1979 in Paris) is a retired French footballer. He announced his retirement after leaving Newcastle United on 16 May 2007.

Newcastle United

Bernard made his name during his first spell with Newcastle after joining from Lyon. He had an evolving career with the Magpies between 2000 and 2005 even though he was at Darlington on loan in the 2000–01 season. He formed a strong left flank partnership with fellow Frenchman Laurent Robert, being a part of Sir Bobby Robson's side which finished 4th, 3rd and 5th as well as reaching the knockout rounds of the Uefa Champions League and the semi finals of the Uefa Cup.[1] l He was a regular starter at the beginning of the 2004-05 season, but Sir Bobby Robson was sacked on 28 August 2004 and replaced by Graeme Souness, who made drastic changes at the club- cutting star players like Craig Bellamy and Laurent Robert.

Southampton

After a dispute over contract negotiations, Bernard left Newcastle on 31 January 2005 to join Southampton on a five month contract.[2]

When Southampton were relegated to the Championship in 2005, Bernard's contract expired and was not renewed by the club.

Rangers

After leaving Southampton, Bernard signed a two-year deal with Rangers on 1 September 2005 after turning down potential moves back to the Premier League with Birmingham City FC and Bolton Wanderers. He cited the prospect of playing in the Champions League once again was a driving force for his move.[3]

After just one season with Rangers, and only nine league appearances, he was released after being made surplus to requirements by new manager Paul Le Guen and was sent looking for new employers.

Return to Newcastle United

Newcastle fans had mixed opinions when Bernard re-signed for them on 1 September 2006 after reneging on an agreement to join Leeds United.[4]

However, his second spell on Tyneside did not turn out as well as hoped, with Bernard struggling for fitness and a series of niggling injuries preventing him from making his second debut for Newcastle. The latest injury was reported to be a hip injury.[5] He made numerous reserve team outings, and was an unused substitute in some Uefa Cup fixtures, including away to Palermo and Levadia Tallinn.[6] He never made an appearance for Newcastle during his injury hampered spell. As a result of this, on 16 May 2007 it was announced that, following the appointment of Sam Allardyce as Newcastle boss Bernard, along with Titus Bramble, Oguchi Onyewu, Craig Moore, and Pavel Srníček would not be playing for the side next season having been released from their contracts.[7]

Retirement

He trained with Toronto FC to keep his fitness up in June 2008, mainly because he is friends with former Toronto midfielder Laurent Robert.[8] He retired from football due to a hip injury. In a 2011 interview, he criticised manager Graeme Souness' man management and blamed him for the death of his career. Bernard's injury will require an operation eventually, but he is prolonging it despite the pain. He may never be able to run or have full mobility again- living with a limp for the rest of his life is almost a certainty.[9]. He now fights racism in football with Show Racism the Red Card.

References

  1. ^ "Inter Milan v Newcaste United". www.nufc.co.uk. 2005-01-31. Retrieved 2003-08-03.
  2. ^ "Double Deal Done". www.saintsfc.co.uk. 2005-01-31. Retrieved 2007-06-16.
  3. ^ "Bernard signs deal with Rangers". news.bbc.co.uk. 2005-09-01. Retrieved 2007-06-16.
  4. ^ "Bernard makes return to Newcastle". BBC. 2006-09-01. Retrieved 2007-06-16.
  5. ^ "Bramble boost for Glenn". icnewcastle.co.uk. 2006-11-16. Retrieved 2007-06-16.
  6. ^ "Palermo 0-1 Newcastle". BBC Sport. 2005-01-31. Retrieved 2006-11-02.
  7. ^ "Five Players To Leave St. James' Park". www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk. 2007-05-16. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |He is currently training with the side in a bid to get fit, and attract the attention of a new club.url= ignored (help)
  8. ^ "TFC players returning to training". Toronto FC Media Relations. 2008-06-03. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
  9. ^ "Bernard's career ending injury tale". www.journallive.co.uk. 2005-01-31. Retrieved 2011-11-03.

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