After the revelations, the explanations… In the premises of the Plessis-Robinson training center (Hauts-de-Seine), Jacky Lorenzetti, the president of Racing 92 and Laurent Travers, his director of rugby, returned this Monday to the changes that will affect the club, from the staff to the top of its hierarchy, with the arrival of Stuart Lancaster (52), the former coach of England, currently coach of the Irish province of Leinster, from the next season.
The maturation was long.
The idea had been floating around in Jacky Lorenzetti's head for quite a while.
"I have been president and owner of Racing for 15 years," he said.
We only knew two coaches, Pierre Berbizier and Laurent Travers (Editor's note: there was also Gonzalo Quesada during the 2012-2013 season and Laurent Labit in duo with Laurent Travers from 2013 to 2019).
We can be choosy but we had results with 15 quarter-finals, 9 semi-finals and 4 finals (Top 14 and European Cup combined).
I have always considered that the Holy Grail was victory.
With Laurent we wondered how to keep Racing at the highest level.
There were also more personal reflections.
“The biological clock is there, adds the president.
I am hyperactive but I have other companies in the vineyard, agriculture,
real estate or Paris La Défense Arena.
If I want to last as long as possible and die on the boards, I have to redefine the volume of my activities in each area.
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“The important thing is that the athlete remains in control at Racing”
Laurent Travers will therefore become, on July 1st, president of the management board of Racing 92, and Stuart Lancaster will be the manager, for a period of four years.
Jacky Lorenzetti will be chairman of the supervisory board.
He will retain decision-making power.
"I will have a more strategic role," he says.
The important thing is that the athlete remains in control at Racing.
This is the first time a coach has become president.
“After a few “difficult” nights, with “stomachaches”, Laurent Travers accepted his new role and he started, with Jacky Lorenzetti, in search of a manager.
"I've been here for ten years, when you look for what you can improve or change, you also have to apply it to yourself," says Travers.
We had to give a boost to wake everyone up a bit.
We chose Stuart from a dozen applicants.
We talked about the game of course, but about the overall vision of a club.
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Stuart Lancaster demanded no clause.
The former coach of XV de la Rose (2011-2015), who is working on the future recruitment of players, will now meet the staff.
“We are not obliged to follow his recommendations at this level, but that does not mean that we will not accept, slips Jacky Lorenzetti.
It was important to formalize now and warn everyone because next season is being built right now.
The coach of Leinster, the Irish province which formalized his departure on Monday afternoon, also undertook to speak French from July 1.
"He wants to adapt to the people in place," says Travers.
And I'm going to take English lessons.
“It's Stuart who will choose his players and it's Laurent who will negotiate with them,” concludes Jacky Lorenzetti with a smile.
