A true living legend of sports journalism, Jacques Vendroux left Radio France last year after 53 years of good and loyal service.
Picked up by Europe 1 where he presents numerous meetings such as "The sports decision-makers" and hosts the podcast "The giants", he arrived in December on CNews to deliver a section there every Friday in "The hour of the pros" with his friend Pascal Praud.
“
With Pascal (Praud), we have known each other forever
, he says.
It was Thierry Rolland who introduced us.
I've always had fun with Pascal.
His program is extraordinary and works very well.
I have affection for CNews even if I do not criticize their competitors
”.
Read alsoJacques Vendroux, the voice of football for Radio France, joins Europe 1
Already an Officer of the Legion of Honor, Jacques Vendroux was decorated on Tuesday with the rank of Commander in the National Order of Merit by Emmanuel Macron.
An unforgettable moment for the sports journalist: “
It was a moment of extraordinary emotion.
I have never hidden it, I like President Macron.
We have football and humor in common.
I find it good that the French have a young president
”, he explains before discussing his relationship with the President of the Republic: “
We exchange text messages regularly where we talk about football or the news.
Besides, I announce to you that he asked me to replay a football match with the Variétés Club de France!
He came to play at Poissy last year and he will play again this year.
He me
In full reform of pensions and the procession of demonstrations which accompanies it, Jacques Vendroux affirms that he does not wish to take his.
At 75, the journalist even rants at those who wish to send him there.
“
What annoys me are people asking me why I'm not retired yet!
I can tell you that it pisses me off!
I am 75 years old, and I am regularly told to stay quietly at home, but I don't want to and I don't feel like it...
"
“For the past few years, Noël Le Graët has been on a trip!
»
Jacques Vendroux
Finally, the football expert Jacques Vendroux could not remain silent in the face of the terrible crisis experienced by the French Football Federation through the repeated slippages of its president Noël Le Graët.
If he salutes his work at the head of the institution, the journalist believes however that the damage is done: “
Noël Le Graët was a remarkable president for 25 years.
When he arrived at the federation, it was insolvent and he put everything in order!
“, he says before concluding: “
Unfortunately, in recent years, he has gone crazy!
He's tired, he's been sick... I was shocked by these comments about Zidane, who is an icon and part of France's heritage.
It's a lack of respect and I told him on the phone.
He regrets it but the damage is done.
He can't come back, it's impossible because he made too many mistakes.
»
While he said last week in "L'heure des pros", on CNews, that he would be a candidate for the presidency of the Federation in 2024, Jacques Vendroux changed his mind by evoking a joke.
“
I am 75 years old and I do not represent the future of the Football Federation.
There are very competent people like Philippe Diallo, Jamel Sandjak or Michel Denisot, but he is also very old like me... If it were up to me, I would put Michel Platini on right away, but he doesn't want to!
»
