Robert Herbin in his last interview at Le Figaro: "Through us, French football has emerged from its amateurism"

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the final of the European Cup of Champions Clubs against Bayern Munich, the legendary coach of the Greens had received Le Figaro at the ASSE training center, in L'Etrat, a few kilometers from Saint-Etienne. A brief foray on the training pitch was enough for the supporters to grab him, tear a few words from him, a few autographs. In Saint-Etienne, the present always blends with the past. The "Sphinx", with its universe furnished with classical symphonic music, had cast a sharp look on the world of football and leafed through with pleasure pages that had entered the history of French sport.

Do you often hear about May 12, 1976?
From this match, not especially, rather from the period which was extraordinary, served to grow the club and French football. The example that we gave, the players and me, in the athletic quality, the expression of the collective game, the others were imbued with it. Through us, French football has emerged from its amateurism.

What memories do you keep of this special day in Glasgow?
On that day, my message was the same as in the previous two or three seasons, de-dramatizing with, of course, specific and serious points. Unfortunately, this did not succeed until the end. Not on an error or a fault but on a free kick which the referee made withdraw, I still wonder why. I'm used to chasing unpleasant moments from my memory even if this day was extraordinary, except in the moment of the free kick. But I keep in my mind the quality of the performance of the players, the occasions that did not want to return and this stroke of fate with this free kick to withdraw.

Does that haunt you?

When I think about it, when people tell me about it, it bothers me. There is a feeling of frustration that returns ... And then I saw Lyon in Troyes, before his quarter-final against AC Milan. If, during our last championship meeting before the final, we had only been protected by half, we would have won the European Cup. In Glasgow, I could not align my typical team because of the injured (Synaeghel and Farison) during this match against Nîmes which was a game of massacre. The arbitrator was intolerably tolerant.

The epic survives. Are you surprised?
I try not to think about it because, despite all the good times, it remains a disappointment, since we did not win the European Cup that Marseille won ... This corresponds to an era during which France no longer obtained any results at European level. And we succeeded, with the agreement of the players. Each player accepted the qualities and flaws of the other. These players had only one desire: to succeed. There were still heavy weeks, hard training to respond to what football was. This team offered such generosity, such solidarity that the public followed, remembers and that this era remains etched in our memories.

“The problem is that there were poles. And that the posts were against us. He was the twelfth opponent. Not that they are round or square ... I want the posts, not their shape "

Tell us about the players who made up the team ...
Curkovic was the defense boss. In front of him were Piazza, rigorous on the man and who knew how to throw himself into long rides, and Lopez who had a sense of effective placement. With the side Janvion and Repellini (Farizon was injured), I had two additional attackers. There was complementarity, solidarity from the midfielders to cover their offensives. Football has evolved in the execution of gestures, it's faster but the game itself remains the same. In the middle, it was Bathenay, Larqué, Santini (missing Synaeghel, injured). In front, the Revelli brothers and Sarramagna.

And Rocheteau?
Some people still blame me for not having played it more, by ensuring that we would have imposed ourselves but I have always been respectful of the health of the players. If it had been a sprained ankle, I would have allowed myself to bandage it, tighten it and say to him: "Go ahead" but there with a slight tear, it was medically impossible to do more. I brought him in at the end of the match, to try to disturb Bayern's defense, moreover he did it well.

The square posts helped to feed the legend ...
The problem is that there were posts. And that the posts were against us. He was the twelfth opponent. Not that they are round or square ... I want posts, not their shape.

The green period remains an epic rich in turnarounds, offering a physical impact, an offensive claw, does this represent pride?
Offensive football, I don't think of any other method than knowing how to be feared in order to better defend myself. This principle rooted in my head, I applied myself to pass it on. It was the same in the European Cup. Qualifying on a return match is terrible.

Has this sporting adventure forged strong human ties?
Most of the players, I had played with them, were their captain. Above all, there was my hindsight. I have always been a fairly independent and lonely person. The links exist between them. They have dispersed but those who are still around find themselves for small matches. However, there is a gap between them and me, even if I see them with pleasure.

"I fear that in the long run people will tire of football"

"The Sphinx", the nickname always sticks to you ...
During the return match against Kiev (in the quarterfinals), we scored the third goal, everyone exploded with joy. I looked at my time and I said to myself, "There are ten minutes left and it will not be easy. Instead of throwing myself, I stayed stuck. I also find that these explosions of joy are things to banish. The players would need a little more humility.

At the head of a Bayern Munich still at the top, there are today many players of this time, from Beckenbauer to Hoeness. The Greens have only gone through the dots on the other side of the barrier, do you regret it?
I made myself a reason. This is the context for the aftermath of the crisis. I come there as a friend, I have no role. Football has changed ... The elders are still welcome but they do not play a role, it is unfortunate. The experience, the attachment to the club would however have been only positive.

What do you think of the club today?
I would like it to grow. The means are no longer what we previously had but with the public we have, we have to grow. Even if it means taking your pants on, you have to find what I don't always find on the ground: the values ​​that made Saint-Etienne. The best way to be feared is to tickle your opponents, you don't always feel it.

How do you rate Ligue 1 today?
I remain convinced that the referees will make football grow or not. For the moment, we are on the wrong slope. There is too much tolerance, even if during European meetings there is more rigor but in the championship ... the draws of jerseys. I have always been taught that by jumping you were not allowed to raise your arms and the guys lean on each other, elbow themselves, girdle themselves, it's madness. I fear that in the long run people will tire of football.

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