He (again) arrived as the firefighter on duty. Gonzalo Quesada, the Argentinian coach of Stade Français, took over the reins of the Parisian team in the summer of 2020, which will play this Saturday at 9:05 p.m. in Bayonne for a sixth consecutive victory in the Top 14, synonymous with qualification in the final stages. A year ago, however, the picture was not rosy for the Parisian soldiers. "We were last in the Top 14", recalled this week Thomas Lombard, general manager of Stade Français, showing partners around the facilities of the Jean-Bouin stadium. In the locker room and the weight room, the goals and values of the club are displayed in large letters under the noses of the players. Among other things, “regaining respect”, or even… “being dogs”. “We have Argentines, these are their expressions,” smiles Thomas Lombard.
To this all-Argentine “grinta”, Gonzalo Quesada adds a psychological spring well known in Ovalie: the spirit of revenge, the feeling that everyone is against the club.
The statements of the players, after the early departure of Gaël Fickou from Racing, leave little doubt: "We lived it badly, we wanted to show that we were not letting go of the season", explains Antoine Burban, historic third row .
“It touched our pride,” adds center Alex Arrate.
Words stamped Quesada, who declares himself, after the victory full of character on the lawn of Racing (35-29): “We wanted to prove that we were not dead.
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Desperate Causes Specialists
This club accustomed to ups and downs, in perpetual resurrection, seems made for the former opener of the Pumas (38 caps), spent in Paris as a player in 2004-2005, before embracing a coaching career where he will quickly specialize in desperate causes. Passionate about psychology (he has completed mental preparation diplomas), Gonzalo Quesada first brought his expertise to the staff of the XV of France of Marc Lièvremont, able during the 2011 World Cup to lose against Tonga but to fail d 'a hair in the final against the All Blacks (loss 8-7). Then he will come to the bedside of Racing 92, to support and then succeed Pierre Berbizier in conflict with his players (2011-2013). But Gonzalo Quesada also and above all led Stade Français to the title in 2015,while the Parisians had only finished the regular season in 4th place. The club's last Top 14 final phase… until Saturday?
“We don't talk too much about 2015 with Gonzalo, the groups are different. We let them live this adventure, by giving them all the keys. Now it's up to them to write a beautiful page in history, ”says Julien Arias, winger under Quesada at the time and now his assistant in charge of the rear lines. But the similarities are troubling. The Argentine coach, who also managed to lead the Argentine province of the Jaguares to the final of Super Rugby (southern hemisphere championship with Australian, New Zealand and South African teams) in 2019, also knew how to empower his players and make them aware of their qualities. A subtle influence, like the character with a calm but still determined tone.
“The coach gave us a framework, elements at the start of the season, but we are taking over. For the state of mind, we organized barbecues, not necessarily with the coaches. We manage each other, ”explains Loïc Godener, Parisian third line. The fine psychologist Quesada let his men take charge of this crazy recovery. While not letting them go in training. The team thus progressed in scrum, in touchdown or in the management of its end of matches. “In the pack, the daily work ended up paying off,” continues Godener. We know that the coach is behind our back, he will not let go! "