{{short description|French footballer (born 1975)}} {{BLP sources|date=October 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Didier Agathe | image = | full_name = Didier Fernand Agathe<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.verif.com/dirigeants/Didier-AGATHE-5332415/ |title=Didier Fernand Agathe |website=Verif.com |access-date=22 February 2025 |language=fr}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|8|16|df=y}}<ref>{{Hugman|22025|accessdate=4 February 2019}}</ref> | birth_place = Saint-Pierre, Réunion<ref name=Lequipe>{{cite news |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur2525.html |title=Didier Agathe |newspaper=L'Équipe |location=Paris |accessdate=4 February 2019 |language=fr}}</ref> | height = 1.81 m<ref name=Lequipe/> | position = Wingback | currentclub = | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = 1992–1999 | caps1 = 41 | goals1 = 3 | clubs1 = Montpellier | years2 = 1996–1997 | caps2 = 29 | goals2 = 4 | clubs2 = → Alès (loan) | years3 = 1999–2000 | caps3 = 30 | goals3 = 7 | clubs3 = Raith Rovers | years4 = 2000 | caps4 = 5 | goals4 = 4 | clubs4 = Hibernian | years5 = 2000–2006 | caps5 = 122 | goals5 = 9 | clubs5 = Celtic | years6 = 2006–2007 | caps6 = 5 | goals6 = 0 | clubs6 = Aston Villa | years7 = 2007–2010 | caps7 = | goals7 = | clubs7 = JS Saint-Pierroise | manageryears1 = 2020 | managerclubs1 = Durham City | manageryears2 = 2021– | managerclubs2 = Chester-le-Street United }} '''Didier Fernand Agathe''' (born 16 August 1975) is a French football manager and former professional footballer who most recently managed Chester-le-Street United.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ex Celtic & Premier League Star Joins Chester-Le-Street United |url=https://www.clsunited.co.uk/post/ex-celtic-premier-league-star-joins-chester-le-street-united |website=Chester-le-Street United |access-date=28 January 2021 |date=22–23 January 2021}}</ref> He is most known for his playing time at Celtic.
Agathe began his career at French side Montpellier HSC before moving to Scotland to join Raith Rovers and then Hibernian. His performances gained him a high-profile transfer to Celtic where he enjoyed the most successful spell of his career winning three championships and was part of the squad that reached the 2003 UEFA Cup Final. He was also the manager of Northern League Division Two side Durham City in 2020.
==Playing career== ===Early career=== Agathe was spotted in his homeland of La Réunion began by a scout from French Ligue 1 club Montpellier HSC in 1992. Although several other clubs expressed an interest in signing Agathe, he chose to join Montpellier given their location in the south of France.<ref name="record">{{cite news|last1=Kyle|first1=Gregor|title=Celtic legend Didier Agathe, my story: The truth is I should never have played football.. and I am lucky to be alive|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-legend-didier-agathe-story-6425992#3cVkKkuLIW7eUOuM.97|accessdate=7 June 2016|work=Daily Record|date=12 September 2015}}</ref><ref name="bio">{{cite web|title=Biography|url=http://www.agatheacademy.com/about-us|website=Didier Agathe Academy|accessdate=7 June 2016}}</ref> His time in France was marred by illness and injury; his appendix burst shortly after arriving, and afterwards he suffered a string of injuries before medical staff found he had no cartilage in his right knee.<ref name="record" /> During his time in France, he was loaned out for a spell to Olympique Alès where he played 29 games and scored four goals.<ref name="bio" />
===Raith Rovers=== At the end of his contract with Montpellier, Agathe travelled to England in 1999 to try to find a club to continue his professional career.<ref name="record" /> He had a successful trial with Stockport County, but the move fell through when he failed the medical.<ref name="record" /> He was then introduced to agent Willie McKay who persuaded Agathe to try finding a club in Scotland.<ref name="record" /> McKay took him to Kirkcaldy, where local club Raith Rovers were looking for a striker having lost their first four games of the season. Although he had never played a competitive game as a forward, Agathe told Raith Rovers manager John McVeigh that he had, and he scored twice in a bounce game against the first team.<ref name="record" /> He then played days later against Airdrie as a trialist, and scored a hat-trick.<ref name="record" /><ref name="bio" /> He went on to play over 30 games for Raith that season, scoring seven times.
===Hibernian=== When his deal at Raith Rovers expired in the summer of 2000, the best offer available at the time to Agathe was a short-term deal at Scottish Premier League club Hibernian.<ref name="record" /> He missed an open goal in his debut against Hearts.<ref name="record" /> He redeemed himself in his next two matches, scoring braces against Dundee United and Dundee in consecutive weeks,<ref>{{cite web|title=Hibernian – Didier Agathe|url=http://www.fitbastats.com/hibs/player_games.php?playerid=6420|website=FitbaStats|accessdate=7 June 2016}}</ref> the latter game including a solo goal where he ran from the half-way line, evaded the challenges of four Dundee players before shooting past goalkeeper Rab Douglas.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hibees hit high spots|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/877647.stm|accessdate=7 June 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=12 August 2000}}</ref>
===Celtic=== His form at Hibs caught the eye of Celtic manager Martin O'Neill, and on the expiration of his short-term contract Celtic made a move to sign him. Agathe's knee condition was noted during his medical, but O'Neill was not concerned and completed the signing of Agathe for just £27,000.<ref name="record" /><ref name="hail">{{cite web|last=Larkin|first=Paul|title=Real Cult Heroes – Part 2|url=http://www.hailhailmedia.com/real-cult-heroes-part-2/|website=Hail Hail Media|publisher=2|accessdate=10 June 2016|date=29 May 2012|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810022926/http://www.hailhailmedia.com/real-cult-heroes-part-2/|archive-date=10 August 2016}}</ref>
Agathe made his debut for Celtic on 14 October 2000 in a home league game against St Mirren. Fielded by O'Neill wide on the right, Agathe turned in an outstanding performance in a 2–0 win for Celtic, with his pace and skill running the St Mirren defence ragged.<ref name="hail" /><ref name="debut">{{cite news|last=Archer|first=Ian|title=Celtic 2-0 St Mirren: Dancing Didier|url=http://www.espnfc.com.ng/scotland/news/2000/1015/20001015cfcsmfcreport.html|accessdate=10 June 2016|work=ESPN|date=15 October 2000}}</ref> O'Neill enthused about Agathe's debut, "He was absolutely brilliant, fantastic even. I did not think he would last more than 60 minutes but he has so much strength and pace".<ref name="debut" /> Agathe kept his place in the team, playing at right wingback, and scored his first goal for Celtic in December 2000 against Dundee with a header in the last minute to give his team a 2–1 win.<ref name="ntv">{{cite web |last=Murdoch |first=AB |title=So farewell then... Didier Agathe |url=https://www.ntvcelticfanzine.com/farewell%20then/fwl%20agathe.htm |website=Not The View |accessdate=10 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630031657/http://www.ntvcelticfanzine.com/farewell%20then/fwl%20agathe.htm |archive-date=30 June 2009 }}</ref> He went to help Celtic win a domestic treble of League, Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup that season.<ref name="hail" /> Agathe provided the assist for Jackie McNamara's opening goal in their 3–0 win over Hibs in the Scottish Cup Final.<ref name="ntv" /> However, he was cup-tied for their victorious 2000–01 Scottish League Cup campaign.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/cis_ins_cup/1226569.stm |title=Celtic clinch Cup with Larsson treble |publisher=BBC |date=18 March 2001 |accessdate=25 November 2016}}</ref> O'Neill continued to use Agathe as either a right back or right wingback and was a regular in his side. The club won three championships and reached the 2003 UEFA Cup Final.<ref name="hail" /><ref name = "academy"/> Following good performances in European competition, he was once linked with moves to Juventus and Valencia during the 2001–02 season.{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}}. In February 2004, the Scotland manager Berti Vogts expressed interest in selecting Agathe.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/feb/02/match.sport14 |title=Dour debut for other De Boer |work=The Guardian |last=Clark |first=Graham |accessdate=14 August 2010 |date=2 February 2004}}</ref>
Agathe hardly featured during the 2005–06 season under new manager Gordon Strachan and was linked with a loan move to Leeds United,<ref>{{cite web|title=Boro and Leeds targeting Agathe|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/4569198.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 December 2005|accessdate=23 September 2016}}</ref> then he had a trial at Middlesbrough.<ref>{{cite web|title=Celtic's Agathe starts Boro trial|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/4645378.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 January 2006|accessdate=23 September 2016}}</ref> In February 2006, he was released from his contract.<ref>{{cite web|title=Celtic agree to let Agathe leave|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/4671282.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 February 2006|accessdate=23 September 2016}}</ref>
===Aston Villa=== Agathe underwent a trial at Premier League side Blackburn Rovers prior to the 2006–07 season, but after manager Mark Hughes let him leave as it could not offer him guarantees regarding playing time, he finished his trial period early.<ref>{{cite web |last=Neild |first=Andy |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/866307.rovers-drop-on-trial-agathe/ |title=Rovers drop on-trial Agathe |date=5 August 2006 |accessdate=27 December 2020 |work=Lancashire Telegraph}}</ref> He began training with Aston Villa, managed by his former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill He agreed to a short-term contract<ref>{{cite web|title=Villa give Agathe short-term deal|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/5328724.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 September 2006|accessdate=23 September 2016}}</ref> and made his Villa début at home to Tottenham Hotspur in a 1–1 draw. On 11 January 2007, however, Agathe parted company with Aston Villa, after they chose not to extend his short-term contract.<ref>{{cite news |title=Agathe parts company with Villa |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/6253691.stm |work=BBC|date=11 January 2007|accessdate=13 January 2007}}</ref> Agathe made a total of six substitute appearances in his short time at Villa Park, but did not start a single game.
===JS Saint-Pierroise=== He then signed for JS Saint-Pierroise, a club in his homeland of Réunion.
Agathe has set up an academy for young footballers on Réunion.<ref name = "academy">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stirling_albion/8911389.stm |title=Three join Stirling Albion from Agathe's academy |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 August 2010 |accessdate=13 August 2010}}</ref> Three players – Heeking Jerome, Mathis Yohan and Jeremy Judith – signed for Stirling Albion in August 2010.<ref name = "academy"/>
On 8 September 2013, Agathe played for the "Celtic XI" during the Stiliyan Petrov charity match put on by Celtic FC.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.footballorgin.com/2013/09/charity-match-celtic-legends-xi-v.html |title=Footballorgin : Charity Match: Celtic Legends XI v Stiliyan Petrov XI Highlights and Post Match Speech (BT Sports). (08.09.2013) |accessdate=2013-09-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911034454/http://www.footballorgin.com/2013/09/charity-match-celtic-legends-xi-v.html |archive-date=11 September 2013 }}</ref>
==Managerial career== In April 2020, Agathe was appointed manager of English Northern Football League Division Two team Durham City.<ref>{{cite web |last=Carruthers |first=Mark |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/didier-agathe-durham-celtic-villa-18174560 |title=Former Celtic star Didier Agathe named as new Durham City manager |date=30 April 2020 |accessdate=27 December 2020 |work=The Chronicle}}</ref> At the time the season was annulled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the club were seven point adrift at the bottom of the division, and during the summer Agathe would orchestrate a squad overhaul, including the arrival of players from Dutch footballing academies.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sigsworth |first=Tim |url=https://www.palatinate.org.uk/ex-celtic-wing-back-didier-agathe-launches-squad-overhaul-at-durham-city-afc/ |title=Ex-Celtic wing-back Didier Agathe launches squad overhaul at Durham City AFC |date=12 June 2020 |accessdate=27 December 2020 |work=Palatinate}}</ref> Agathe left the club in October, having secured one point from the opening nine games of the season,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nonleaguedaily.com/durham-city-boss-didier-agathe-departs/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022150251/https://nonleaguedaily.com/durham-city-boss-didier-agathe-departs/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=22 October 2020 |title=Durham City manager Didier Agathe steps down |date=8 October 2020 |accessdate=27 December 2020 |work=Non League Daily}}</ref> though club owner Olivier Bernard said the results were not the reason he had left.<ref>{{cite web |last=Reid |first=James |url=https://www.palatinate.org.uk/didier-agathe-leaves-durham-city-afc/ |title=Didier Agathe leaves Durham City AFC |date=14 October 2020 |accessdate=27 December 2020 |work=Palatinate}}</ref>
==Film== Agathe, who played over 100 league games for Celtic, portrayed a Rangers striker in the Robert Duvall movie, ''A Shot at Glory''.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0193854/trivia Trivia for A Shot at Glory], Internet Movie Database.</ref>
==Career statistics== :Source:<ref>{{cite web|title=Didier Agathe|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=17465|website=Soccerbase|accessdate=12 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Agathe, Didier|url=http://www.fitbastats.com/hibs/player.php?playerid=6420|website=FitbaStats|accessdate=12 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Agathe, Didier|url=http://www.fitbastats.com/celtic/player.php?playerid=2880|website=FitbaStats|accessdate=12 June 2016}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="2"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |Raith Rovers |1999–2000 |30||7||1||0||0||0||1||0||32||7 |- |Hibernian |2000–01 |5||4||0||0||1||0||-||-||6||4 |- | rowspan=7| Celtic |2000–01 |27||3||6||0||5||0||2||0||36||3 |- |2001–02 |20||1||3||0||1||0||8||1||32||2 |- |2002–03 |27||0||0||0||2||0||11||0||40||0 |- |2003–04 |28||5||5||0||0||0||14||1||47||7 |- |2004–05 |16||0||2||0||1||0||5||0||24||0 |- |2005–06 |4||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||4||0 |- !Total !122!!9!!16!!0!!5!!0!!40!!2!!183!!11 |- |Aston Villa |2006–07 |5||0||0||0||1|||0||-||-||6||0 |- !colspan="2"|Career total !162!!20!!17!!0!!7!!0!!41!!2!!227!!22 |}
==Honours== '''Celtic'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Didier Agathe|url=http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/didier-agathe_prs178712/person.shtml|website=Eurosport|accessdate=12 June 2016}}</ref> * Scottish Premier League: 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04 * Scottish Cup: 2000–01, 2003–04, 2004–05 * Scottish League Cup: 2000–01 * UEFA Cup runner-up: 2002–03
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerbase}} * {{Official website|http://www.didieragathe.com|didieragathe.com official website}} * {{Official website|http://www.agatheacademy.com|Didier Agathe Football Academy official website}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Agathe, Didier}} Category:1975 births Category:Living people Category:People from Saint-Pierre, Réunion Category:Aston Villa F.C. players Category:Celtic F.C. players Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland Category:Men's association football wingers Category:French expatriate men's footballers Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Scotland Category:French expatriate sportspeople in England Category:French men's footballers Category:Hibernian F.C. players Category:Ligue 1 players Category:Montpellier HSC players Category:Olympique Alès players Category:Premier League players Category:Raith Rovers F.C. players Category:Men's footballers from Réunion Category:Scottish Football League players Category:Scottish Premier League players Category:JS Saint-Pierroise players Category:Durham City A.F.C. managers Category:French football managers