Special envoy to Toulon,
Rarely, Patrice Collazo has seemed so affected by the sporting situation of the RCT. Even during his first year, made difficult by the end of the cycle (9th place in the Top 14), the native of La Seyne-sur-Mer had shown no fault. But at the time of "looking the facts in the face" on the last exercise, punctuated in a destitute 8th place, the Mediterranean did not escape: "The results were presented to the players. The objectives are not achieved. So we took stock to draw conclusions. We did not know how to have continuity in the performance and, before talking about the performance, we can talk about the attitude. I heard the things they wanted to change. When you experience a situation like this, you have to think about it. So I'm going to change some things. On the other hand,players also need to change some things. It's a certainty..."
If he considers himself "the first responsible" for the failure, Patrice Collazo was deeply touched by the criticisms emitted on social networks and by some fan clubs: "I am marked by this season. I place human relations above all else. We missed it this season. I am marked because I am from Toulon. I have a certain ideal of what Toulon should be. An image, which may not be the same for everyone. I am marked by what I see and I hear the criticisms. I am marked because I see what we have done on the pitch. I see people who are unhappy because of us. I see the disrespect that there can be towards the president. With me, it is not a concern, I assume. "
“I asked myself the question of my future at RCT.
But this story, I can't stop it like that here.
"
Patrice Collazo
A disappointment that pushed her to think about her future, despite a contract lasting until 2025: “I asked myself the question of my future at RCT. As much we can say that I do not make laugh, as much when it is necessary to make the decisions, I know how to take them. But, one thing is for sure, I'm not running away. I thought about it for a while, then after I flipped the other way. This story, I can't stop it like that here. Especially when you're from here. Laurent Emmanuelli and the president can make decisions. I accept it. But, one thing, I'll go all the way. As long as there is not a big victory, I will not be happy in Toulon. And today, I am not happy in Toulon, because Toulon is not winning.
After the rout in Castres, which caused the wrath of lovers of the club with thrush and its president Bernard Lemaître, the former Stade Rochelais coach took the time to carry out a self-criticism.
He draws a lucid look: “Today, there are things to improve.
This is my third season at the club, it is the second time Toulon does not qualify since last season there was the Covid-19.
We had started something positive in the attitude, in the continuity of the performances last season.
We have not been able to find that this year.
We felt it over the matches.
We have been a real roller-coaster.
"
"I had a hard and brutal management to place the players in front of their responsibilities"
Patrice Collazo
If he concedes having had "a hard and brutal management to place the players in front of their responsibilities" during delicate moments, the boss of the RCT is ready to change to breathe new life into: "We must put a new framework around the team. When you're in Toulon, you can't afford to have a second season like this. I also know where we come from. But, before talking about rugby, about strategy, the match is a consequence. Before talking about consequences, there is a process of ethics, work and how we live the club. "And creaking:" When you lack consistency in performance and attitude ... Next year, a lot of things will have to be changed. We will get down to it. I started doing it with the players. (...) The match is the synthesis of our work,for the coach and the players. The few times we have aligned morale, work and rugby, we have had a result. Sometimes, we did not even put the first one: the gift of oneself and ethics. "
If during a press conference Bernard Lemaître meant that his trainer was going to "gain height", Collazo made a point of clarifying the thought: "I will not deny myself. To train is to have convictions. I base a lot of things on loyalty and affect (…). You owe it to yourself to interpret in your profession, but I have a way of working. It can evolve. Despite what some people think, I have an adaptability. You will be surprised… This heightening defines the ability to take a step back, to analyze the situation and to think of the added value that we can bring. On the other hand, be careful, to take a step, or even a half-step, is not to step aside. But it allows you to see a lot more things to see the good and the not so good. "
In short, he remains "responsible for a project and an institution".
With a tanned and drawn mine, Collazo wanted to undermine the “clichés” that stick to his skin: “I have never had any trouble delegating.
It is an image that people want to give me.
Until proven otherwise, I do not train the rear, Julien Dupuy is responsible.
Dasalmartini had autonomy on the sidelines, with its leaders.
Even though I love the kicking game, Maxime Petitjean will be more competent than me.
This is his domain.
Sometimes, we do not realize the impacts that there can be.
I also want to try to return another image.
And, I know what to send back to my players.
"
“I have only one desire: I want to start over and very quickly.
I am even ready to forget the holidays.
"
Patrice Collazo
For the objectives, the secret will be kept between him and his flock: “We must have high objectives, we must make the players understand. This season will be decisive for Rugby Club Toulonnais. Here, there is too much expectation, and today many people are disappointed. We are the first to spend a lot of time and energy there. You will answer me that we are paid for that, very well, but we are also there to make it work. "
And to find the recipe to pay, the RCT bet on players concerned only by the club. In his analysis, Patrice Collazo declared that his “team collapsed over the February-March period” during the duplicates due to VI Nations: “It is the structure, at the base, which was not good. We thought differently for the future. We want to rely on a base of players available only for the club. We consider the international as an added value for the team when it will be there. I no longer want to depend solely on its players. A guy like Ollivon, who is on a double project, is solicited a lot on the mental and performance aspects. From now on, I want these players to be in the best possible condition to perform when they return to Toulon. We owehave players dedicated to the club all year round. The arrivals go in this direction. The international will be a bonus and added value. But the most important is the player who will be there all year. An international is only present six months a year. When they are not there, we must have high standards and performance. The team must keep spinning. We didn't know how to do it this year. "
In his conclusion, like his press conference, the former pillar was more combative than ever: “Players and supporters would perhaps be happy that I coach from the office, or even that I stay at home. me… But this is not topical. I have a deep aversion to defeat. This offseason, I will remember it. I have only one desire: I want to start over and very quickly. I am even ready to forget the holidays. "
