The research did not last very long. Less than a week after being appointed coach of the France team in place of Didier Dinart, his former assistant Guillaume Gille found the one who will assist him in his mission at the head of the Blues.
While the French federation had initially thought of Yohann Delattre, coach of the French junior team, it finally changed its rifle following the latter's refusal. Rather than opting for an internal solution, she finally decided to entrust the position of new assistant coach of the tricolor selection to Erick Mathé, 48, who has been officiating since 2018 on the bench of Chambéry.
Former deputy of Patrice Canayer in Montpellier, with whom he won the Champions League in 2018, the one who was elected best coach of the French championship in 2019, also has the advantage of knowing the federal sector well since he has directed the Poitiers hopes pole where, between 2002 and 2010, he also saw the international Nicolas Tournat pass.
An appointment in Chambéry Monday evening
According to our information, representatives of the FFHB met with the leaders of Chambéry on Monday to study the conditions allowing their coach to collaborate with the Blues.
The staff will be completed by the arrival of Olivier Maurelli at the post of physical trainer. Former international handball player, the latter currently officiates with the French volleyball team. The two men, who would not leave their post, will have the heavy task of accompanying Gille in the commando mission which will see the French team play its qualification for the Tokyo Games during the TQO scheduled from April 17 to 19 at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris.
"With Guillaume, we tried to build a full staff for Olympic qualification, explains this Monday evening the DTN Philippe Bana in a press release from the FFHB. Érick Mathé embodies dynamism, solidity and complementarity with Guillaume. Olivier Maurelli, a former professional handball player in Marseille and Montpellier, is a specialist in physical support marked in particular by his work with the French men's volleyball team. We had a good collaboration with the club of Chambéry whom we thank, Alain Poncet and all his team, as well as with the volleyball federation where Laurent Tillie and Axelle Guiguet, the National Technical Director, were very positive. The work has already started. "
