David Friio, Plymouth Argyle and Lyon
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Plymouth Argyle's current position in League One is certainly not where the club wanted to be just a couple of years ago, when it seemed as though the Devon outfit were one of the most upwardly-mobile in the EFL.
After a difficult start to life back in the third tier following their relegation from the Championship after a period of high managerial turnover, Tom Cleverley, has got the Green Army competing at the right end of the table once again.
It remains to be seen what the immediate and long-term future is for the Home Park outfit, although it was revealed in November 2023 that they planned to become a sustained competitor for the Championship play-off places whilst boasting ambitions of reaching the Premier League.
Argyle's recent past has certainly been tumultuous as they have featured in all three EFL divisions multiple times since the turn of the century, with their revival in the early-to-mid 2000s being an era which supporters look back on with great fondness.
However, the current whereabouts of cult hero, David Friio, will certainly surprise some.
Sylvain Ebanks-Blake
Sylvain Ebanks-Blake
David Friio was instrumental in Plymouth Argyle's rise to the Championship
David Friio, Plymouth Argyle
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Born in North-East France, Friio was already a seasoned campaigner in his home country by the time his surprise move to Argyle came about in late 2000.
After featuring for Epinal and Nimes, the midfielder was signed by Valence in 1999, where he would link up with long-serving Greens goalkeeper, Romain Larrieu, with both leaving the club after the turn of the millennium.
After extending his initial short-term contract at Home Park in the summer of 2001, Friio became a cult figure in the 2001/02 season as Argyle won what is now League Two under Paul Sturrock, scoring 11 times.
He then flourished in the third tier with a further 18 goals across the next two seasons, which also included the promotion-winning campaign of 2003/04, including one which sealed the title in a 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.
David Friio then enjoyed two roles at Nottingham Forest
David Friio, Nottingham Forest
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Despite scoring a further six goals in just 28 appearances as Sturrock left for Sheffield Wednesday, Friio's spell with Plymouth ended in February 2005, months before the expiration of his contract, opting to join Nottingham Forest.
It was reported that the Frenchman had rejected a new deal in Devon to sign a two-and-a-half year contract at the City Ground, stating: "Plymouth will always be a very special place for me but time doesn't stand still."
Unfortunately, in a playing capacity, it wasn't the best of moves for the midfielder as, in an 18-month period, he only played 22 times for Forest, scoring one goal, whilst at the end of the 2004/05 season, the East Midlands side were relegated to League One for the first time.
After retiring in 2006 in order to set up a football-related business, Forest's £100,000 signing swiftly became a scout under Colin Calderwood, with it being reported that he was instrumental in the signing of Guy Moussi from Angers.
However, he would leave the City Ground for good two years later, and has enjoyed quite the time since at some huge footballing institutions.
David Friio also has Manchester United, Marseille and Lyon on his post-playing CV
Manchester United corner flag, Old Trafford
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Indeed, ahead of the 2008/09 Premier League season, Friio made a major move to Manchester United as 'international scout', aiding the club's transfer plans during a period which included three top-flight title wins and a well-documented demise following Sir Alex Ferguson's exit in 2013.
The 53-year-old is largely credited with the initial signing of Paul Pogba as a youngster, having watched him in 2009, as well as the potential of Raphael Varane, who wouldn't move to the North West until many years later, before being phased out of said role by 2017.
Since then, Friio has enjoyed an array of roles at Saint-Étienne, Marseille and Lyon, including sporting director roles at the latter two sides.
However, he was relieved of his role at the Groupama Stadium in 2024 due to claims of a poor relationship with John Textor, who is also no stranger to clubs in England after a controversial involvement with Crystal Palace, as well as failed attempts to take over Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday.
It has since been revealed that Friio is operating as an agent, and was even spotted at Lyon's academy in August 2026 watching a match which included client, Edwin Titalom Penka.