{{Short description|Gabonese footballer (born 1977)}} {{Use British English|date=December 2012}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}} {{lead too short|date=February 2011}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Daniel Cousin | image = Daniel Cousin Hull City v. Aberdeen 1.png | image_size = | caption = Cousin playing for Hull City in 2009 | fullname = Daniel Michel Cousin<ref>{{cite web | title = List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/07/2010 and 31/07/2010 | url = https://www.thefa.com/TheFA/RulesandRegulations/~/media/Files/PDF/TheFA/Rules_Regs/July%202010.ashx/July%202010.pdf | publisher = The Football Association | access-date = 20 August 2010}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1977|2|7}} | birth_place = Libreville, Gabon | height = 1.86 m<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10338~34915,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503090334/http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/ProfilesDetail/0%2C%2C10338~34915%2C00.html|title=Profiles: Daniel Cousin|publisher=Hull City A.F.C|archive-date=3 May 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> | currentclub = | position = Striker | years1 = 1997–1998 |clubs1 = Martigues |caps1 = 36 |goals1 = 5 | years2 = 1998–2000 |clubs2 = Chamois Niortais |caps2 = 46 |goals2 = 5 | years3 = 2000–2004 |clubs3 = Le Mans |caps3 = 129 |goals3 = 44 | years4 = 2004–2007 |clubs4 = Lens |caps4 = 101 |goals4 = 26 | years5 = 2007–2008 |clubs5 = Rangers |caps5 = 28 |goals5 = 11 | years6 = 2008–2010 |clubs6 = Hull City |caps6 = 31 |goals6 = 4 | years7 = 2010 |clubs7 = → AEL (loan) |caps7 = 9 |goals7 = 2 | years8 = 2010–2011 |clubs8 = AEL |caps8 = 27 |goals8 = 6 | years9 = 2011–2014 |clubs9 = Sapins |caps9 = |goals9 = | totalcaps = 420 | totalgoals = 114 | nationalyears1 = 2000–2014 | nationalteam1 = Gabon | nationalcaps1 = 56 | nationalgoals1 = 13 | manageryears1 = 2014–2018 | managerclubs1 = Gabon (general manager) | manageryears2 = 2018–2019 | managerclubs2 = Gabon | manageryears3 = 2019 | managerclubs3 = ES Fos-sur-Mer | manageryears4 = 2020–2022 | managerclubs4 = FC Côte Bleue (staff)
}}
'''Daniel Michel Cousin''' (born 7 February 1977) is a Gabonese former professional footballer who played as a striker.
He played for Martigues, Chamois Niortais, Le Mans Union Club 72, RC Lens, Rangers, Hull City, AEL and Sapins, as well as the Gabon national team.
In March 2019, Cousin formally signed a contract to serve as a coach of Gabon national team despite being confirmed in September 2018, but left a few weeks later before being appointed manager of French club ES Fos-sur-Mer.
==Early life== Born in Libreville, Estuaire Province, Cousin ({{IPA|fr|kuzɛ̃|pron}}) moved to Marseille, France, when he was three.<ref name="CityMag38">{{cite magazine|date=October 2008|title=Cousin joins the family|magazine=City Magazine|publisher=Hull City AFC|issue= 38|page=44}}</ref>
==Club career==
===France=== Cousin played in the lower leagues in France for Martigues and Niort before moving to Le Mans Union Club 72.
He joined RC Lens in the summer of 2004. Whilst at RC Lens he appeared in the UEFA Cup in both 2005–06 and 2006–07 starting 13 games with 2 appearances as a substitute netting 8 goals in the process. Lens qualified for the 2005–06 tournament after triumphing in the UEFA Intertoto Cup competition with Cousin starting in five games, making three substitute appearances and scoring three goals including one in the final itself versus CFR Cluj of Romania.
===Rangers=== On 9 August 2007, Cousin arrived at Murray Park in Glasgow to hold contract talks over a move and signed a three-year deal for a reported fee of £750,000.<ref name="Cousin joins Rangers">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/6938629.stm|title=Cousin completes Rangers switch |publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=9 August 2007}}</ref> He scored his first goal for Rangers on his debut in a 2–0 home league win against St Mirren on 11 August 2007,<ref name="Rangers 2-0 St Mirren">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/6939929.stm|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|title=Rangers 2–0 St Mirren|date=11 August 2007}}</ref> and scored twice on his first start a week later against Falkirk.<ref name="Rangers 7-2 Falkirk">{{cite news|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/6949202.stm|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|title=Rangers 7–2 Falkirk|date=18 August 2007}}</ref>
Cousin played at Ibrox, against Lyon in the UEFA Champions League on 12 December 2007. Rangers lost 3–0 with Cousin playing the first half before getting substituted for Steven Naismith in that game.<ref name="Lyon 0-3 Rangers ">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7019587.stm|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|title=Rangers 0–3 Lyon |date=2 October 2007|first=Colin|last=Moffat}}</ref> In November 2007 he was linked with a transfer away from Rangers, and it was reported that he had a release clause in his current contract which means he could leave in January 2008. This was denied by Rangers but the club did reveal there was a £3 million release clause during the 2008 summer transfer window.<ref name="Cousin transfer">{{cite news|url=https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/cousin-s-pound-3m-exit-clause-in-summer-1.975659|work=Evening Times|publisher=Herald & Times Group|title=Cousin's £3m exit clause in summer|date=13 November 2007}}</ref>
On 21 January 2008, it was reported that Premier League side Fulham had had a £2 million bid rejected by Rangers manager Walter Smith.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/7201942.stm|title=Fulham set to improve Cousin bid |publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=22 January 2008}}</ref> The next day a bid of £3 million from Fulham activated a release clause,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11788_3071210,00.html|title=Fulham agree Cousin fee|publisher=BSkyB|work=Sky Sports|date=22 January 2008}}</ref> however FIFA regulations meant Cousin required special dispensation to complete the move.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/7201942.stm|title=Gers wait for Cousin deal verdict|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=25 January 2008}}</ref> On 29 January, the transfer was cancelled as FIFA did not grant permission<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2290346/Daniel-Cousins-move-to-Fulham-collapses.html|title=Daniel Cousin's move to Fulham collapses|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=29 January 2008}}</ref> but it later emerged that FIFA had not reached a decision over the transfer.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/7217143.stm|title=Cousin Fulham deal still possible|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=30 January 2008}}</ref> On 29 February, FIFA announced it would not allow the deal to be completed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sport.stv.tv/world-sport/4437-fifa-block-cousin-deal/|title=FIFA block Cousin deal|publisher=STV Sport|date=29 February 2008}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
On 1 May 2008, Cousin was sent off during extra time of the Fiorentina v Rangers UEFA Cup semi-final second leg match for a headbutt.<ref name=Fio1>{{cite news |url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7372080.stm |title = Fiorentina 0–0 Rangers (0–0) |publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=1 May 2008}}</ref> Despite Cousin's sending off, Rangers progressed to win the game on penalties.<ref name=Fio1/> A matter of days later, he did the same to Dundee United defender Lee Wilkie, in a 3–1 win<ref>{{cite news |url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/7390628.stm |title = Rangers 3–1 Dundee Utd |publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=10 May 2008}}</ref> mired in refereeing controversy.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/7393800.stm |title = McCurry admits to Ibrox mistakes|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=12 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rangers_3_1_dundee_united_intrigue_controversy_and_a_spectacular_novo_goal_then_seven_and_a_half_minutes_of_calculated_rage_1_1433002 |title = Rangers 3 – 1 Dundee United – Intrigue, controversy and a spectacular Novo goal, then seven and a half minutes of calculated rage |publisher=Johnston Publishing Ltd|work=Scotsman.com Sport|date=10 May 2008}}</ref> Although he was not sent off, Cousin was widely criticised for his stupidity.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Wilkie%3A+Cousin's+a+nutter%3B+RACE+FOR+THE+SPL+CROWN.-a0178882719 |title = Wilkie: Cousin's a nutter; RACE FOR THE SPL CROWN |work=The Mirror|date=10 May 2008}}</ref> On 31 August, Cousin scored the opening goal in the first Old Firm match of the season. Rangers went on to win the match 4–2 and he was later sent off for two bookable offences.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/7587204.stm |title = Celtic 2–4 Rangers |publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=31 August 2008}}</ref> This was the player's final game for Rangers, but Rangers' then-assistant manager Ally McCoist said: "That was as good a centre-forward performance in an Old Firm game as I've ever seen from anybody. That particular day he was phenomenal."<ref name=open>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJftaIBp_7o "Si Ferry Meets... Ally McCoist"] - Open Goal, YouTube, published on 16 April 2018</ref>
===Hull City=== thumb|Cousin playing for Hull City in 2009 On 1 September 2008, Cousin signed for English Premier League side Hull City on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/sep/02/hullcity.premierleague|title=Cousin leaves Ibrox for ambitious Hull|date=2 September 2008|publisher=Guardian News and Media|work=guardian.co.uk|access-date=1 September 2008}}</ref> Cousin scored his first Hull goal against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on 27 September 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7626886.stm |title = Arsenal 1–2 Hull|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=27 September 2008}}</ref> His header was the decisive goal and helped to exalt Hull City to a historic 2–1 victory against Arsenal at their home.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7626886.stm|title = Arsenal 1-2 Hull|date = 27 September 2008}}</ref> He scored in a 4–3 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7684745.stm|title = Man Utd 4-3 Hull|date = November 2008}}</ref> before scoring again at home to Manchester City.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/nov/17/premierleague-hullcity |title = City hold their nerve and Hull in mixture of the beguiling and bewildering|publisher=Guardian News and Media|work=The Guardian|date=31 August 2008}}</ref> On 1 September 2009, a loan deal to Premier League rivals Burnley fell through.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/09/02/1475853/daniel-cousin-blasts-hull-city-before-burnley-loan-move|title=Daniel Cousin Blasts Hull City Before Burnley Loan Move Falls Through|date=2 September 2009 |publisher= Goal.com|access-date=11 February 2014}}</ref> In total, Cousin scored five goals in 33 matches for the Tigers.
===AEL=== Cousin joined the Greek side AEL on loan for the second half of the 2009–10 season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Casey |first1=Jamie |title=Cousin heads to Greece |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11714/5909831/cousin-heads-to-greece |website=Sky Sports |access-date=22 August 2020 |date=1 February 2010}}</ref> He was the second player from Gabon to play for Larissa after Henry Antchouet.{{citation needed|date=February 2012}} The transfer was made permanent on 18 August 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/8927664.stm|title=Daniel Cousin leaves Hull City for Larissa|date=19 August 2010|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|access-date=19 August 2010}}</ref> Despite a good performance the following season, Larissa were relegated from the top tier, and he left the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10338~2126122,00.html|title=Cousin Makes Greek Move|date=18 August 2010|publisher=Hull City AFC|access-date=10 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329135036/http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10338~2126122%2C00.html|archive-date=29 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Sapins=== On 13 October 2011, Cousin returned home to Gabon to play for local team Sapins FC in an attempt to boost his chances of playing at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.<ref name = "sapins"/> The deal with Sapins allowed the striker to leave without any conditions if he received an offer from a club in Europe.<ref name = "sapins">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15276810|title=Gabon's Daniel Cousin returns home to play for Sapins|date=13 October 2011|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=22 October 2011}}</ref> Cousin was released by Sapins on 31 January 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/300912/300912|title=DANIEL COUSIN COULD FINISH ON A HIGH AT IBROX|first=Scott |last=Burns|work=Express.co.uk|date=8 February 2012|access-date=8 February 2012}}</ref> Cousin agreed personal terms to rejoin Rangers until the end of the season,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16967931|title=Rangers move closer to re-signing Daniel Cousin|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=10 February 2012|access-date=10 February 2012}}</ref> but Rangers entered administration and had a transfer embargo applied by the Scottish Premier League.<ref name = "block">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17034037|title=SPL block Rangers deal for Daniel Cousin|date=17 February 2012|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=17 February 2012}}</ref> When Rangers attempted to register Cousin with the league, their application was rejected.<ref name = "block"/>
==International career== {{BLP unsourced section|date=February 2012}} Cousin made his debut for Gabon on 23 January 2000 in a 3–1 defeat to South Africa. He participated in all three of Gabon's matches at the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations. On 2 September 2006, he was made captain of the national team and led them to a 4–0 win over Madagascar. He scored the only goal in a 1–0 win at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations over Cameroon.
==Managerial career== On 4 September 2014, Cousin was named general manager of the Gabon national team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mtnfootball.com/match-report/20685/Gabon-vs-Angola|title=MTNFootball – Gabon vs Angola|website=mtnfootball.com|access-date=11 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811222651/https://mtnfootball.com/match-report/20685/Gabon-vs-Angola|archive-date=11 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> In September 2018, he became manager of the Gabon national team.<ref>{{cite news |title=Daniel Cousin confirmed as sole Gabon coach after Aubameyang announcement |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45639976 |access-date=26 January 2019 |work=BBC Sport |date=25 September 2018}}</ref> He left in March 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47733493|title=Gabon begin search of new coach as Cousin contract ends|date=28 March 2019|work=BBC Sport|access-date=28 March 2019}}</ref>
On 20 May 2019, Cousin was appointed manager of French club ES Fos-sur-Mer.<ref>[https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Daniel-cousin-va-diriger-l-es-fos-sur-mer-club-de-regionale-1-d6/1020738 Daniel Cousin va diriger l'ES Fos-sur-Mer, club de Régionale 1 (D6)], lequipe.fr, 20 May 2019</ref> He was sacked on 30 September 2019.<ref>[https://www.lensois.com/fin-de-laventure-pour-daniel-cousin-fos-sur-mer/ Fin de l’aventure pour Daniel Cousin à Fos-sur-Mer], lensois.com, 30 September 2019</ref>
In June 2020, Cousin joined the technical staff of FC Côte Bleue, where he would be in charge of the attacking section of the U18 to the senior reserve of the French club.<ref>[https://www.gabonreview.com/football-daniel-cousin-trouve-un-point-de-chute-au-fc-cotes-bleue/ Football : Daniel Cousin trouve un point de chute au FC Côtes bleue], gabonreview.com, 13 June 2020</ref>
==Career statistics==
===International goals=== :''Scores and results list Gabon's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Cousin goal.''<ref name="NFT">{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/2464/Daniel_Cousin.html|title=Cousin, Daniel|publisher=National Football Teams|access-date=19 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/gab-cousin-intl.html|title=Daniel Michel Cousin - International Appearances|website=RSSSF|access-date=11 August 2017}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ List of international goals scored by Daniel Cousin |- !scope="col"|No. !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition |- | align="center"|1 || 22 April 2000 || Stade Omar Bongo, Libreville, Gabon || {{fb|MAD}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification |- | align="center"|2 || 25 June 2000 || Stade Omar Bongo, Libreville, Gabon || {{fb|CGO}} || align="center"|2–? || align="center"|2–3 || Friendly |- | align="center"|3 || 2 June 2001 || Stade Omar Bongo, Libreville, Gabon || {{fb|TUN}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–1 || 2002 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |- | align="center"|4 || 2 September 2006 || Stade Omar Bongo, Libreville, Gabon || {{fb|MAD}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|4–0 || 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |- | align="center"|5 || 9 September 2009 || Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaoundé, Cameroon || {{fb|CMR}} || align="center"|1–2 || align="center"|1–2 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |- | align="center"|6 || 10 October 2009 || Stade Omar Bongo, Libreville, Gabon || {{fb|MAR}} || align="center"|3–0 || align="center"|3–1 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |- | align="center"|7 || 6 January 2010 || Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa || {{fb|MOZ}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || Friendly |- | align="center"|8 || 13 January 2010 || Estádio Nacional da Tundavala, Lubango, Angola || {{fb|CMR}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || 2010 Africa Cup of Nations |- | align="center"|9 || 11 August 2010 || July 5, 1962 Stadium, Algiers, Algeria || {{fb|ALG}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–1 || Friendly |- | align="center"|10 || 9 February 2011 || Stade Aimé Bergeal, Paris, France || {{fb|MOZ}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || Friendly |- | align="center"|11 || 27 January 2012 || Stade d'Angondjé, Libreville, Gabon || {{fb|MAR}} || align="center"|2–1 || align="center"|3–2 || 2012 Africa Cup of Nations |- | align="center"|12 || 8 September 2012 || Stade de l'Amitié, Cotonou, Benin || {{fb|TOG}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–1 || 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |- | align="center"|13 || 26 January 2014 || Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, South Africa || {{fb|LBY}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|1–1 (2–4 pen.) || 2014 African Nations Championship |}
==Honours== '''Lens''' *UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2005<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/IntertotoCup/FixturesResults/Round=2188/Match=81579/Report=LU.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614205426/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/IntertotoCup/FixturesResults/Round=2188/Match=81579/Report=LU.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 June 2007 |title=Lens 3–1 Cluj (Aggregate: 4 – 2)|publisher=UEFA|access-date=14 June 2020}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Soccerbase}} * {{Worldfootball.net|daniel-cousin|new_id=pe13671}} * {{NFT|2464}} * [https://footdavant.fr/daniel-cousin-au-mans-jetais-plus-constant-que-didier-drogba/ Daniel Cousin Interview]
{{Navboxes |title=Awards |titlestyle=background: gold |list1= {{2002–03 Ligue 2 UNFP Team of the Year}} }} {{Navboxes colour |title=Gabon squads |bg=#FCD116 |fg=#3A75C4 |bordercolor=#009E60 |list1= {{Gabon Squad 2000 African Nations Cup}} {{Gabon Squad 2010 Africa Cup of Nations}} {{Gabon Squad 2012 Africa Cup of Nations}} }} {{Gabon national football team managers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cousin, Daniel}} Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Libreville Category:Gabonese men's footballers Category:Gabon men's international footballers Category:2000 African Cup of Nations players Category:2010 Africa Cup of Nations players Category:2012 Africa Cup of Nations players Category:Men's association football forwards Category:FC Martigues players Category:Chamois Niortais FC players Category:Le Mans FC players Category:RC Lens players Category:Gabonese emigrants to France Category:Naturalized citizens of France Category:Rangers F.C. players Category:Hull City A.F.C. players Category:Athlitiki Enosi Larissa F.C. players Category:Akanda FC players Category:Ligue 1 players Category:Ligue 2 players Category:Scottish Premier League players Category:Premier League players Category:Super League Greece players Category:Gabonese football managers Category:Gabon national football team managers Category:Gabonese expatriate men's footballers Category:Gabonese expatriate sportspeople in Scotland Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland Category:Gabonese expatriate sportspeople in France Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France Category:Gabonese expatriate sportspeople in Greece Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Greece Category:Gabonese expatriate sportspeople in England Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England Category:2014 African Nations Championship players Category:Gabon men's A' international footballers