Cantona took over as captain of the French national beach soccer team in 1997 after suddenly leaving the professional football game. Joel, his brother, who was already a team member, inspired his interest in the activity.
He experienced significant success when managing and competing for the French club that won their first European championship in the 2004 Euro Beach Soccer League and the inaugural FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2005.
During its early years, Cantona was essential to the development of beach soccer. Before leaving the France beach soccer team in 2011, he remained with them for 14 years.
Cantona led France to fourth place in the World Cup and just missed out on a second European championship in 2007. He had another successful year in charge in 2007.
Cantona’s resignation as head coach was finalized in 2010 after failing to get France to qualify for the World Cup for the second time under his management.
