The defeat too many for Patrice Collazo.
Badly beaten on the lawn of La Rochelle this Sunday (39-6), the RCT ended its collaboration with its trainer, Patrice Collazo on Tuesday.
“
The Rugby Club Toulonnais and Patrice Collazo have decided, by mutual agreement, to put an end to their collaboration.
The preparation of the next Toulon-Biarritz match is now entrusted to the Toulon staff led by James Coughlan,
”the club said in a statement.
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Read alsoTop 14: the revolt of Toulon supporters is gaining momentum
Claimed by some of the Toulon supporters, his departure was more and more likely given the plummet of the Var in the standings (13th).
Patrice Collazo had recently described as "pseudo-supporters" all those who called for his dismissal, which had not failed to stir up tension around a club decidedly in turmoil at the start of the season.
Two historic supporters of the club have also recently launched a movement on Twitter demanding, among other things, the departure of the coach.
Two Top 14 wins
However, three weeks ago, the president of the club, Bernard Lemaître, gave his support to Patrice Collazo, preferring to blame the poor results on the players.
“
I read that the players would be tired of the situation.
But they are not with their salary ... And if it was the opposite, if the club was tired of its players?
»The strong man of the RCT had then assaulted.
A few games later, Bernard Lemaitre visibly changed his mind.
Since the start of the season, Toulon has won only two Top 14 matches against Stade Français (38-5) and then against Brive (13-9).
A second victory acquired under the whistles of the Mayol Stadium as the performance of the Var had been sluggish.
A mixed record on the bench of the RCT
Arrived on the Var bench in 2018, Patrice Collazo, who was under contract until 2025, shows a mixed record to say the least, not to say disappointing. French champion in 2014, finalist in 2016 and 2017, the RCT has been absent from the finals of the Top 14 since the 2017-2018 season. The former manager of La Rochelle failed to replace the RCT among the strongholds of tricolor rugby.
This season, the Toulon coach was not helped by the cascade of injuries that hit the club head-on.
Recruited with great fanfare this summer from Toulouse, the South African Cheslin Kolbe has still not made his debut in the Var jersey.
The same goes for Captain Charles Ollivon or Eben Etzebeth, Baptiste Serin and Christopher Tolofua.
What bring some mitigating circumstances to a Patrice Collazo who seemed despite everything short of ideas.
Michalak soon on the bench?
To replace him, the name of Frédéric Michalak comes naturally to mind. Last Saturday, he confirmed on the
Canal Rugby club set
that he would join the Toulon staff from next December. “
I don't think I'm 200% ready to coach. I don't necessarily want to, today. But working 2-3 a week is a chance to continue my progress and why not, one day, become a trainer. But for the moment, it is too early
", had however declared the former international tricolor before adding:"
My objective is not to take the place of anyone
". However, it is to him that eyes may quickly turn.
Other avenues are however being studied.
The hottest leads to former Clermont manager Franck Azéma.
Another name mentioned, that of Xavier Garbajosa, whose adventure had come to an end in Montpellier.
He could come with another member of the staff of his time in La Rochelle, Grégory Patat, forward coach not retained at the end of the season by the Maritimes.
The president of the RCT, Bernard Lemaitre, left a few days to find the best solution.
And will make an announcement on Friday morning (9:30 am) at a press conference.
