Argentinian coach Gonzalo Quesada (46), who led the Paris club to his last title of champion of France in 2015 and a final victory in the European Challenge in 2017), is back in the capital. The Parisian club formalized the news on Friday evening. In the evening in Argentina, Quesada spoke about his decision to leave his country, two years after having returned to take over the leadership of the Jaguar franchise: "Everything happened quickly," he said during of a virtual press conference of the UAR, the Argentine federation. This is not what I imagined a few months ago because I am sure that coming back to Argentina is the best decision I made as a coach (..) I wanted to say it first to the players and they don't learn it from the press. I think they got it. They were the first to be consulted for this decision, the first to give their opinion, I would have been very disappointed not to have told them myself. They took it very well, they were sensational. We had half an hour to laugh and be sad. ”
READ ALSO : Discarded from Super Rugby, Argentines encouraged to come and play in Europe
By upsetting the calendar, the Covid-19 epidemic caused the Super Rugby, for one or even two seasons, to be sidelined from the Argentine province of Jaguares. At the head of which Gonzalo Quesada had reached the final of the prestigious southern hemisphere competition last season. To keep them competitive, the federation advised its internationals to find a club in Europe. And also to save their wages during this difficult period and without flagship competition. Gonzalo Quesada received the same exit voucher. He does not say anything else: "Not long ago, the people of the UAR called me, it was a clear, transparent speech, without filter: during the months to come, because of the uncertainty which hangs over on Super Rugby, I was not going to have a role, a precise objective for a long time. They left me the choice to continue or not to continue. When the formal proposal (from the Stade Français) arrived, I immediately discussed it with the Federation and we analyzed together what would be the most logical decision. I am sure that the Jaguares will continue to exist but also it is an opportunity to release a large contract in the current situation even if it would be in bad faith to say that I leave just for that.
And the Argentinian to detail (a little) his return to the capital: "It's nice to have the opportunity to return to France, it's a great challenge to return to a club where I have emotional ties important but I also have sadness. I signed a contract they call in France "2 + 1", it's a weird method, but if the player or the coach wants to activate the option of the third year, he can or he finishes In two years. But concretely, it's two years. ”
¡Hasta pronto Gonzalo Quesada! El entrenador argentino continuará su carrera como Head Coach del @SFParisRugby. Su paso por @JaguaresARG será recordado por siempre en el rugby argentino. ¡Muchas gracias por tu compromo, entrega y convicción en todos estos años! ¡Hasta pronto! pic.twitter.com/Tiyuruk3ur
- Jaguares (@JaguaresARG) June 5, 2020Read also
- Quesada: "My vision of the Stade Français was not aligned with that of the president"