The Jonelière training center.

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A.Duret / FCNantes

  • Christian Gourcuff should have put in place a global sports policy at FCN a few months ago, but the trainers did not agree with certain points of it.

  • The trainers, and in particular Stéphane Ziani, coach of the U19s, also criticize the Breton technician for not being interested in young people.

The scene marked the spirits.

It dates from the beginning of the year and takes place, under the eye of witnesses, at La Jonelière.

Voices echoed.

Stéphane Ziani, U19 coach of FC Nantes, and Christian Gourcuff, coach of the pros, explain themselves.

“It's not FC Gourcuff here!

Even says Ziani.

That day, he said aloud and to the person concerned what many trainers think softly: that the relationship between training and the staff of the pros is almost non-existent, that the professional staff has a more than limited interest in young people of the club or that certain elements in the overall project of the club thought by Gourcuff are not suitable for training [in particular in question the immutable device in 4-4-2 dear to the Breton].

An argument that marks a break between the technician and most of the trainers.

Sunday, Ziani swings a stone in the pond, but this time in

Ouest-France

.

“The relationship [between training and professional staff] is not constructive, it is zero.

Sometimes, we have the impression that we are two clubs, we discover each other.

"Joined Monday, Stéphane Ziani does not budge:" The management of young people by Christian Gourcuff is catastrophic.

The guys all want to get out!

Basila and Mendy, two U20 internationals who are at the end of their contract, will leave free.

There are no plans for them.

He treats them like fillers.

"

Gourcuff should have become general manager, but ...

Christian Gourcuff obviously wanted to react to the words of Stéphane Ziani that he considers "harmful for the club and a great clumsiness".

To answer it, he has been rewinding the tape since his arrival in the summer of 2019. “When I arrive at the FCN, it's to troubleshoot.

I am not coming to make the revolution.

I agree to work with the staff in place with whom today I work in perfect harmony.

After ten days, I meet the head of the center [Samuel Fenillat] to tell him that I am available to provide my experience.

I also shared my methodology, giving a document on my philosophy and my work.

In September, the management offered me a one-year extension and suggested that I put in place a more global sports policy, what you media called a general manager position.

I accept.

In November, I meet Samuel Fenillat to explain my vision to him, but I suggest that we hold a working meeting in January.

This will ultimately never take place.

"Impossible to discuss with Gourcuf, stubborn and not listening", according to Ziani

“Before this meeting, Stéphane Ziani comes to see me and tells me, on behalf of the FCN educators, that they do not want the Gourcuff project.

I decide to withdraw it.

I didn't come to Nantes to be in opposition and to piss off people… What I noticed, however, is that the training / Vahid relationship was strained.

Non-existent with Ranieri.

And complicated with Conceição.

»A final remark totally denied by the trainers, who appreciated the Portuguese's appetite for training.

“In terms of integrating young people, you can't blame me,” defends himself Gourcuff.

I had Louza, Youan and Basila play from last season.

In general, one session per week, I try to integrate young people.

He does not accept being accused of not coming to see the evolving elements.

“Philippe Mao [sports coordinator] will see the N2 matches and make the connection.

I also have weekly relations with Pierre Aristouy, coach of the reserve.

And then, if my global sports policy project had been validated by everyone, I would have got more involved!

But, there was a rejection even before I exposed it ... "Stéphane Ziani explains today that during the famous explanation at the beginning of the year, he just wanted to tell Christian Gourcuff that he was" disagree with certain points of the project ”.

“But it was impossible to discuss because he was stubborn and not listening.

The break seems irremediably consumed between the two parties.

Additional proof, last week, Pierre Aristouy and Patrick Collot, deputy of Gourcuff, had a very heated exchange ...

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  • Soccer

  • Nantes

  • FC Nantes

  • Sport

  • Training

  • Christian Gourcuff