Jérôme Rothen in Regional 1: "I don't come to do figuration"

It's a comeback that will make noise in the small world of Ile-de-France amateur football. Former international Jérôme Rothen, 42, who has spent time in Monaco and PSG, has just signed a new license. He becomes again assistant coach at Plessis-Robinson (Regional 1, ex-DH), a club he had already joined (in R2) as a footballer in January 2015 (3 games) before sitting on the bench.

Now holder of his BEF (football coaching certificate), Rothen will continue to assist coach Julien Zenguinian while focusing on his profession as a columnist on RMC.

Three years later, what is the reason for this return to Plessis-Robinson?

JÉRÔME ROTHEN. Three years ago, I wanted to continue, but professionally and in terms of my private life, it was no longer compatible. Today, I have more clarity in my timetable and the opportunity is good to take up what we started together.

Julien Zenguinian therefore remains the coach, and you his assistant…

Julien has been there for a long time and I will try to bring my freshness, a different game plan. To pass a course, you have to be surrounded, because it allows to pass different speeches. I know that the guys work next door and we are not going to ask them for the moon, but I will try to bring a touch of professionalism, with rigor and this side "grinta" ... I have ideas and what is well, it's that they let me put them in place. Afterwards, I am not a lesson giver. My career certainly gives weight to my word, but it quickly disappears. If the players do not have the impression of progressing, they no longer follow.

What is the club's ambition?

I have a winning culture and I don't come there to do figuration or finish 5th. We will target the climb to National 3. It is an exciting challenge and I am in a hurry to be back on August 10 to prepare for the Coupe de France in early September.

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Exactly, the disappearance of extra time in the Coupe de France has particularly irritated you…

Yes, I explained it on the air. This is huge bullshit and I still wonder who could have launched such a ridiculous idea. You really should never have played football… I said that I was going to conduct my investigation at the FFF, because I can't believe that President Le Graët, too much in love with the game, could have decided on his own. It totally goes against the charm of competition. The Cup is about surpassing oneself, cramps… I am in love with this Cup that I had the chance to win (Editor's note: in 2006) . And even with Le Plessis, we achieved the best course in history by falling on penalties (Editor's note: 6th round in October 2017) .