End clap on a chaotic season. Even before the last day of the Top 14, Montpellier ensured its maintenance in Top 14 on Saturday, painfully dominating Aviron Bayonnais (23-19). A phew of relief for a team that we imagined, given its substantial resources and the quality of its workforce, to play the leading roles. But the Cistes had a catastrophic start to the championship, the club had to separate from its coach Xavier Garbajosa and bring Philippe Saint-André, who previously held the position of director of rugby, back to the edge of the field. After a sluggish start (five losses in a row), “PSA” was able to rekindle the flame and the MHR finished the season with a cannonball, signing eight victories in the last eleven days of Top 14. “It was a season with ups and downs. We're coming out of hell.We are relieved to have done the job and not to wait for the results of the others ”, welcomes the pillar Enzo Forletta.
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“I am enormously proud of the players and of the club.
When I took the team, my friends said to me: "You're crazy to go, you've loaded enough."
I had to go back, said Philippe Saint-André.
It has never happened to me to lose five games in a row even though some people think I am a very average coach.
I didn't panic.
I tried to be positive.
It turned.
The scenario is magnificent, with eleven victories over the last fourteen matches. ”
Above all, in this very spirited finish, Montpellier managed to win the Challenge Cup, 10 days ago, against the English Leicester.
"We are happy today, but when we take stock, we cannot be satisfied with that in view of our ambitions"
Enzo Forletta
A title in the "small" European Cup (the second after that of 2016) which allows the Hérault club to win a ticket for the next Champions Cup.
Unexpected.
“It's an incredible season.
It is the second trophy in the history of the club.
We were three points from non-relegation in January, remembers Philippe Saint-André.
We do not run away with our results.
We save ourselves by ourselves.
We are European champions, in fact rather Intertoto (former football competition for clubs not qualified for the Champions League or the UEFA Cup, Editor's note).
We have qualified for the European Cup.
Well done to my players, to my staff.
I am very happy for the club. ”
Absent from the finals for the second time since 2011
The MHR will nevertheless have to ask the right questions for the next financial year: how to avoid such a mess in the future?
Since the arrival in 2011 of President Mohed Altrad, who has injected several million euros, the club will not participate in the final stages of the Top 14. An anomaly.
What Enzo Forletta recognizes: “It is a great joy to have won the European Cup.
It is a relief to ensure the maintenance.
We did the job.
We can go on vacation in peace even if there is still a match (in Pau).
Maintenance is the bare minimum.
We are happy today, but when we take stock, we cannot be satisfied with that in view of our ambitions. ”
“This team is starting to look like me. She never gives up, is tough, accepts criticism. She lives well, she has a smile "
Philippe Saint-André
Another essential question: who will be the Hérault bench next season? Saint-André has long repeated that he only wanted to do one freelance for a season, before resuming his height and his duties as director of rugby. And Saturday, the former coach of the XV of France (2012-2015) left the suspense hovering: “I have not decided anything. I didn't sign anything. I took pleasure in doing management, but I did not decide anything… ”One thing is certain, Franck Azéma, the manager of Clermont, will not come to Montpellier. Blame it on an indemnity (corresponding to his last year of contract with ASM) that Clermont claims and that Mohed Altrad does not want to pay. “I told Franck that I was ready to give him, not to the ASM, 150,000 euros, free for him to use this amount to free himself.But Clermont demanded astronomical compensation, the Montpellier president recently told us. I didn't want to pay this amount. Moreover, I have never made an offer to ASM, contrary to what our friend Guillon (president of Auvergne) said. I called him and told him to stop talking nonsense… ”
Altrad: "The love of this jersey, we don't have that yet in Montpellier"
For now, Saint-André has succeeded in his commando mission. And took a liking to find the land and win his first title since the coronation of Sale in England in 2006. “This team is starting to look like me, he relishes. She never gives up, is tough, accepts criticism. She lives well, she has a smile. " And Enzo Forletta continued: “It's not a bad season because we went looking for a European title. It can help us grow. It can make us stronger. There is a lot of mental strength in this group. I hope he will be rewarded with other titles. ” Mohed Altrad is aware that his club have to improve again and again. “You have to create a culture, almost the love of a whole bunch of people for the club. The love of this jersey, we don't have that yet in Montpellier.It is the youngest club in Top 14. And it is not a land of rugby. We are not ready yet, but we are approaching little by little. Maybe it will be for next season. By dint of work… ”Harsh words. After a season in hell.
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Calendar and results Top 14