1. Overview
Éric Gérard Carrière is a French former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Known for his skillful playmaking, he had a distinguished club career with several prominent French teams, including Nantes, Lyon, Lens, and Dijon. Carrière achieved significant success, winning multiple Ligue 1 titles with Nantes and Lyon, as well as domestic cups and an international club trophy. He also represented the France national team, earning 10 caps and scoring 5 goals, notably contributing to France's victory in the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup.
2. Early life and background
Éric Gérard Carrière was born on May 24, 1973, in Foix, Ariège, France. He stands at 68 in (173 cm) tall and weighs 141 lb (64 kg). He is right-footed.
3. Playing career
Éric Carrière's professional football career spanned from 1996 to 2010, during which he played for four different French clubs and represented his national team.
3.1. Club career
Carrière's club career was marked by significant achievements, particularly in the Ligue 1, France's top football division.
3.1.1. FC Nantes
Carrière began his professional career at FC Nantes in 1996. He quickly became a central player for the team. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in Nantes' success, culminating in winning his first Division 1 title in the 2000-01 season. His outstanding performance that season earned him the Division 1 Player of the Year award. In addition to the league title, he also helped Nantes secure two consecutive Coupe de France titles in 1998-99 and 1999-2000, and the Trophée des Champions in 1999. He remained with Nantes until 2001.
3.1.2. Olympique Lyonnais
In 2001, Carrière moved to Olympique Lyonnais, where he continued his impressive run of success. He was instrumental in Lyon's dominance in French football, winning three consecutive Ligue 1 titles in 2001-02, 2002-03, and 2003-04. His time at Lyon also saw him lift the Trophée des Champions twice, in 2002 and 2003. He played for Lyon until 2004.
3.1.3. RC Lens
Following his successful period at Lyon, Carrière signed with RC Lens in 2004. He played for Lens for four seasons. During his time there, he contributed to the team's victory in the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2005. His tenure with Lens concluded in 2008, following the club's relegation from Ligue 1.
3.1.4. Dijon FCO
After leaving Lens, Carrière signed a two-year contract with Dijon FCO on June 26, 2008. He played for Dijon in Ligue 2 for two seasons before retiring from professional football in 2010.
3.2. International career
Carrière made his debut for the France national team on March 30, 2001, in a 5-0 victory over South Korea at Daegu Stadium during the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup. Despite making a relatively late debut at the age of 28, he quickly made an impact. He earned a total of 10 international caps and scored 5 goals for France. In the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, he scored 2 goals, playing a key role in France's triumph in the tournament.
4. Style of play
Éric Carrière was renowned as a skillful playmaker on the field. He possessed excellent vision and was particularly adept at delivering defense-splitting passes that created scoring opportunities for his teammates. Beyond his creative abilities in open play, Carrière was also a specialist in set-pieces, frequently taking free-kicks, penalties, and corners for his team. He also demonstrated an ability to score goals from open play.
5. Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Nantes | 1996-97 | Division 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 1997-98 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 1 | ||
| 1998-99 | 33 | 1 | 7 | 0 | - | 40 | 1 | |||
| 1999-00 | 32 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 45 | 8 | ||
| 2000-01 | 33 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 49 | 8 | ||
| 2001-02 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 128 | 12 | 24 | 4 | 18 | 2 | 158 | 18 | ||
| Lyon | 2001-02 | Division 1 | 27 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 40 | 8 |
| 2002-03 | Ligue 1 | 37 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 46 | 8 | |
| 2003-04 | 28 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 37 | 2 | ||
| Total | 92 | 12 | 9 | 0 | 22 | 6 | 123 | 18 | ||
| Lens | 2004-05 | Ligue 1 | 33 | 3 | 4 | 0 | - | 37 | 3 | |
| 2005-06 | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 40 | 0 | ||
| 2006-07 | 32 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 46 | 3 | ||
| 2007-08 | 23 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 35 | 4 | ||
| Total | 114 | 5 | 17 | 3 | 27 | 2 | 158 | 10 | ||
| Dijon | 2008-09 | Ligue 2 | 36 | 7 | 2 | 0 | - | 38 | 7 | |
| 2009-10 | 31 | 0 | 2 | 1 | - | 33 | 1 | |||
| Total | 67 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 71 | 8 | ||
| Career total | 401 | 36 | 54 | 8 | 67 | 10 | 522 | 54 | ||
6. Honours
Éric Carrière accumulated numerous team and individual honours throughout his professional football career.
6.1. Club honours
- Nantes
- Division 1: 2000-01
- Coupe de France: 1998-99, 1999-2000
- Trophée des Champions: 1999
- Lyon
- Division/Ligue 1: 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04
- Trophée des Champions: 2002, 2003
- Lens
- UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2005
6.2. International honours
- France
- FIFA Confederations Cup: 2001
6.3. Individual awards
- Division 1 Player of the Year: 2001
- FIFA Confederations Cup Silver Shoe: 2001