End of media silence.
Former French international Yoann Gourcuff (36) spoke for the first time since the end of his career with
Ouest France
on Monday.
He talks about his new role as a stay-at-home dad, his memories as a footballer or his still very present passion for football.
But does not return to the hot topic of the 2010 World Cup, the famous Knysna episode, his relationship with Franck Ribéry or Patrice Evra.
Themes where his speech was expected.
We will still have to wait.
Which will disappoint a large number of supporters of the Blues, eager to know more about the fiasco of the French team 13 years ago now.
His new life takes place on the Morbihan coast, in Ploemeur where he puts on a new cap after a career as a footballer, that of a stay-at-home father.
"
I enjoy it.
I have no problem saying that I am a stay-at-home dad.
The days are busy, but seeing my children (Maël, 7 years old and Claudia, 4 years old) grow up every day is a privilege.
Moreover, in a peaceful context.
Here, we are not bothered.
There is space, the sea, the beaches, the forests, the paths…
”
Read alsoGourcuff “a real problem” at Knysna, Thuram “Malcolm X”, the myth of Sir Alex Ferguson … The good leaves of Patrice Evra's autobiography
But in his new life, sport nevertheless retains an important place.
“
A great place, always.
I play tennis (regional team championship with TC Larmor-Plage, it is ranked 5/6), I do tournaments in the area from time to time, I try to train once a week.
I go mountain biking, sometimes with my father (Christian)
”.
Read alsoYoann Gourcuff, decryption of a phenomenon
Yoann Gourcuff had no trouble after the end of his career to naturally transition to a quieter life.
“
It happened very naturally.
I'm a football fanatic, I liked the game, the training sessions, the matches, but all that was around and which was taking on more and more importance, all this exposure, I didn't like it.
It was not me.
I am a discreet, modest person.
Today, I am very well in my life.
I immediately switched to a new organization with my family.
In football, you have to respect schedules, but with children too.
And I'm fine with that.
My end of career, I lived it very well.
I came back to who I am, I'm in control.
Leave the world of football
He does not close the door to a consulting role
"
After the end of my career (January 2019), I did not touch a ball for several years.
There, I go back to playing in the garden with my son.
I watch very few matches since I quit.
I always preferred to play, to be an actor, than a spectator.
I also follow the news of the clubs that I like and through which I have been: Lorient, Rennes, Milan, Bordeaux, Lyon, Dijon.
»
For some time, the former player whose father is a coach has had requests to follow the same path.
“
I had solicitations for six months, a year.
I continued to talk because I hadn't closed the door.
In the end, the various contacts were unsuccessful.
The path was natural towards my new life.
If there are opportunities when my children grow up, why not.
It will take a favorable context, people with whom I share the same values and the same football sensitivity.
Leader ?
No, me it would be the ground and the transmission.
And even on a consulting role.
“
So far, I haven't taken the plunge.
But I'm not closing the door.
We'll see.
".
Gourcuff talks about his memories of Bordeaux … not the France team and the 2010 World Cup
His end to his career was a well-considered decision despite other solicitations to continue.
“
There too, I was approached by a few local clubs, such as Concarneau, or lower level teams.
But I feared that I would no longer take pleasure at a lower level, especially on a technical level.
If there's more frustration than pleasure, it doesn't matter to me.
And then… I gave a lot for football, all my life.
When you've reached the end, you have to know how to move on.
It's not just that in life.
»
The peak of his career is undoubtedly his time in Bordeaux where he had a great time.
“
Two very intense seasons (2008-2010, a French championship title in 2009), with a lot of pleasure, happiness, success, fulfillment with the other players.
There were no stars, but intelligent, mature boys, with real thinking about the game. It also went very well with the coach and his staff (Laurent Blanc, Jean-Louis Gasset, etc.) .
We all felt the same football.
There was really a harmony, also with the public and the city.
I lived in the center, I felt the enthusiasm rising.
It was super positive.
I measure my luck, because I am aware that it is rare to experience this in a career.
Even though he has moved away from the world of football;
Gourcuff still kept in touch with former partners and friends.
“
Jérémy Toulalan, Benoît Costil, Étienne Didot, Arnaud Le Lan, Jimmy Briand.
»