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Ligue 2: Girard, first name Nicolas

2020-09-25T15:26:37.477Z


Nicolas Girard has been his father René's assistant since 2009. Their complicity turns out to be an asset for Paris FC on the move to the lead


When René Girard signed for Montpellier in 2009, he only demanded to come with his son Nicolas, as a physical trainer.

Initially, the idea did not necessarily please the emblematic President Nicollin, who however also worked with his son Laurent.

"I was barely 31 years old, obviously it caused a lot of talk," recognizes Nicolas Girard, former striker or attacking midfielder of Beauvais and Cannes (more than 150 games in L2 and National).

“When you're the son of .., you always have to prove more than the others,” he continues.

It wasn't always easy for me.

I sometimes suffered from it when I was a player.

My father had a remarkable career as a player and then as a coach.

I chose the same path.

It is up to me, therefore, to take responsibility for the sometimes negative comments.

I wanted to work with him.

As a result, I will have difficulty removing certain labels.

But I got older and I see it with more hindsight now.

"

As a child, when his father trained with Bordeaux, he remembers "playing ball behind the goals with the children of Giresse, Tigana or Lacombe".

He ended his career at the age of 27 with a final experience at Sénart-Moissy, then in CFA, due to recurring injuries.

"Moissy, it ended up killing me," he smiles.

I no longer had the motivation.

I had the opportunity to prepare my reconversion at Clairefontaine with Franck Le Gall (Editor's note: the doctor of the France team) in charge of the Hopes.

I have always been interested in the tactical aspect.

At the time, physical preparation was in its infancy and I wanted to go further.

I was responsible for re-athleticism of the wounded.

When my father took me with him to Montpellier, I did not come from nowhere.

I already had 4 years of practice behind me.

"

In Hérault, he quickly dispelled doubts.

And "Loulou" Nicollin was quickly convinced by his contribution.

“The title of champion of France in 2012 legitimized our work, admits the rigorous Nicolas.

That's why I passed the stage of wondering if I am in my place or not.

In Montpellier and Lille, we have nevertheless proven things.

"

Golf to get away from it all

If he had the "opportunity to work with other coaches", he did not want to take the plunge.

"It is above all a question of projects which did not necessarily suit me", confides the one who at Paris FC, assists his father in a 5th club after Montpellier, Lille, Nantes and WAC Casablanca.

“Working with your father is complicated if you want to make things complicated,” he believes.

We know each other by heart, he knows he can rely on me and our complicity allows us to free ourselves in the work.

But it's still work, so with the tension of the results, we have argued many times since we worked together.

But it never lasts very long.

Dogs don't make cats and let's say we're both a little bloody… ”.

Over the years, the son admits "having settled down" on the bench.

He often happens to calm his father down during matches.

“When I started out, I took a lot of money, so I got vaccinated,” smiles Nicolas.

My father is always very expressive, Gégé (Editor's note: Gerard Bernardet, the other assistant) too.

So I try to counterbalance all that.

“During family meals, football is also very present.

Dad could talk about soccer 24/7, he wouldn't mind.

He has trouble picking up the phone.

My mom is used to it now.

I too am passionate about it.

But football is very time consuming.

When there is my sister, we can talk about other things.

I also have my family to get away from it all.

“Arrived at the start alone, he was joined by his wife and children aged 11 and 8 in his apartment in the 14th arrondissement.

“We are fully in the Paris FC project, it's fascinating.

The only time I can think of nothing and get away from it all is when I'm playing golf, ”he concludes.

Source: leparis

All sports articles on 2020-09-25

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