It was the former Argentina fly-half who guided the Parisian club to their only European title to date in 2017, when they defeated Gloucester Rugby 25-17 in the final of the Challenge Cup at BT Murrayfield.

It was also the 46-year-old Quesada who led Stade to their first French title in eight years when they won the Bouclier de Brennus in 2015.

That was a fine return from only four years in charge of the capital club, before he left for a season at Biarritz and then moved back to Argentina to take charge of the Jaguares, whom he steered to a first Super Rugby final last year.

“It is with immense pleasure and great pride that Stade Français announce the return of Gonzalo Quesada, winner of the Top 14 in 2015 and the European Challenge Cup in 2017,” Stade said in a statement.

“Our capital club will count on the great experience and enthusiasm of its new head coach to start a new cycle and return to sporting success. Former player and then coach of Stade Français, Gonzalo knows perfectly the culture of the club and the requirements of the Top 14.”

Quesada - who will be joined on the coaching staff by Laurent Sempéré and Julien Arias, in joint charge at Stade Jean-Bouin since Heyneke Meyer left last November – played one season for Stade Français in 2004/05, when he scored eight points in two Heineken Cup games for them.

In total, the 38-Test half-back notched 208 points in 22 European appearances for Narbonne, Béziers, Stade and Pau between 2000 and 2006.

His coaching CV is similarly varied, having also been assistant coach to the French national team and head coach of Racing 92, as well as his Stade, Biarritz and Jaguares roles.

The news that Gonzalo Quesada is to return to Stade Français Paris as head coach next season has rekindled hopes at the Top 14 club that they could regain their former glories.