At the end of last year, we mainly talked about a transitional year because many young players from the training center were moving up. It was difficult to have a real visibility on our capabilities. I think the top 5 was an objective. Beyond the ranking, we were aiming for the development of players so that they could validate their level in Ligue B, which was the case for all the young players throughout the matches.
Were you surprised that the young players confirmed the hopes placed in them at this point?
The substitutes progressed a lot, which allowed us to have a homogeneous group in the end. While we were struggling at the beginning of the year in case of injuries, in the end, we could interchange players without much change. The rotations were also effective with both the starters and the substitutes. The development goal was fully successful because by the end of the year, we were able to perform with almost anyone on the field.
Does this second place also confirm that you were the best team at the end of the season with eight consecutive wins?
If we take away the first five matchdays, we should be at the top of the ranking. We made progress on each phase: 14 points in the first, 24 in the second, and 25 in the last with only one defeat. It is very rewarding for the work provided by the group.
“A squad renewal is being considered because some players want to aim higher and are being courted.”
What did you like the most and the least this season?
What I liked the least was perhaps the championship format with the round-trip phase without the finality of playoffs. But for our young group, this format allowed us to work and play for ten months, until May 15. What I liked the most was the progression of the entire group and their resilience. The players did not give up and did not finish on autopilot.
Do you think the championship format will evolve?
The presidents have taken up the issue. They want to evolve it, perhaps by returning to playoffs or by introducing “play-in” games like in Ligue A to keep all teams involved at least until mid-April.
Let’s talk about the perspectives. Last year, the team had seven departures. Can we fear the same dispersion this year?
A squad renewal is being considered because some players want to aim higher and are being courted by higher-class clubs, like Oussama Ben Rhomdane who is joining Tourcoing. Others are reaching the end of their cycle, these departures are taken care of by the staff. But like last year, the new players will be able to replace these departures.
“I liked the championship format with the round-trip phase without the playoffs the least.”
Is it tiring for a coach to have to constantly rebuild?
This is my first year, so we’ll see about doing it a second or third time. A coach would like to lay the stones one by one so that the house grows, but here we sometimes feel like we’re laying five and taking away two each time. It is tiring individually, but it is rewarding to see our players being courted by big clubs. It proves the quality of the work in Saint-Jean-d’Illac. We also have three former club players who are champions of France this year with Phelut and Hervoir in Montpellier and Bonnefoy in Royan.
So, Saint-Jean-d’Illac is a stepping stone club?
