At the heart of the flood of Parisians who left to settle in Bordeaux since the summer of 2017 and the establishment of the high-speed line (2 hours of connection), a handful took the route du Haillan.
The influence of the former PSG climbs month after month at the headquarters of the Girondins.
There are more than ten of them, spread over all levels of the Bordeaux organization, from President Frédéric Longuépée to sports director Alain Roche, including players of all staff.
A presence rather well perceived, even if the personality of the principal leader crystallizes the tensions.
Appointed as deputy chairman of the club in November 2018, Frédéric Longuépée was promoted to chairman and chief executive officer in January 2020 by the American shareholders of King Street.
Former high-level gymnast (participating in the 1988 Olympics), the 55-year-old was a leader of the French Tennis Federation and deputy general manager of PSG (2012-2018).
But as soon as he arrived in Gironde, the current did not pass.
Blame it on a “facies offense”, of primary “anti-Parisianism” for some.
Has his personality "cold, distant, too anchored in the business" for others.
Within the club, with supporters and even local politicians, the transplant does not take.
From the fall of 2019, a conflict opposed Longuépée with the ultras over the club's new ticketing strategy.
A communication war that has never stopped: the two camps still do not speak to each other to this day.
The change of the Girondins logo has also caused a lot of ink to flow.
Events that struck the side of the town hall, the municipal officer LR Nicolas Florian (2019-2020) as the green Pierre Hurmic, currently in office.
Rooming, but no hatred
Visibly aware of these tensions, Longuépée wanted to smooth things over.
Since the spring, he has established a dialogue with all Bordeaux circles, economic, political or sporting during breakfasts or dinners.
What soften his image of "Parisian".
But Bordeaux is not Marseille either.
The rivalry with Paris has never been heightened.
In this city very popular with former inhabitants of the capital, accommodation is required between natives and newcomers.
But without hate.
In the Girondins, several personalities make the link between the capital and the port city.
Alain Roche, sports director, and Jean-Louis Gasset, coach, know the two clubs well, having played or trained there.
Among the former PSG, we also find Raphaël Fèvre, performance manager at the training center and former physical trainer in Paris.
Among the players, the “titis” Yacine Adli and Youssouf Sabaly continue their careers there.
We can even add Sekou Mara, 18-year-old hope, passed through the Parisian pre-training, as well as Eve Périsset, French international and former side of PSG.
Not to mention all the young Ile-de-France residents seduced each year by training and the Bordeaux setting.
Here is Bordeaux.
With a slight Parisian accent.
