Paris (AFP)
Stade Français, a 14-time French championship club, but now top of the top 14, "will never come down" in Pro D2, assured Saturday its president and owner, the Swiss billionaire Hans-Peter Wild.
Can Paris come down? "You're laughing, never, never, I'm very confident, it's going to be okay, we will not come down," said the businessman at a press conference introducing the new managing director Thomas Lombard, appointed on 17 October, and on the eve of a capital derby against Racing 92, penultimate of the championship.
"There is a sports situation that is not satisfactory, it is obvious and we are very alert on it", continued Thomas Lombard, evoking "the specter of relegation".
"We have worked hard to make this capital derby, already sporting, a march and a springboard for us, and to return the fans, recreate an energy around the Stade Français which is a little stuck in the depths of the ranking."
The former center or French international winger (12 caps) has promised that "there will be many things tomorrow (Sunday)", perhaps trying to find some of the pomp of the period he has known as a player at the turn of the 2000s with four titles of champion of France under the presidency of Max Guazzini.
The "Doctor" Wild has also reiterated his confidence in his South African coach Heyneke Meyer: "we have an excellent coach, we do not have to discuss his qualities, (...) he has a huge experience ", having notably been at the head of the Springboks.
"I'm used to solving problems, it's been the case for forty years of my business life," said Wild, owner since 2017 and president since September 19.
Meyer, also present at the Stade Jean-Bouin, said a few words in French, before returning with his players: "It is very important for us to respect the history, traditions and fans of the club".
He also applauded the officialization by the club of the arrival "with immediate effect" of Julien Arias in the coaching after 16 seasons at the club as player as winger, two titles of champion of France (2007 and 2015 ) and a European Challenge (2017).
© 2019 AFP