For the second time in the space of three seasons, Christophe Galtier finished the season in the shoes of a champion coach of France. With the draw obtained by PSG on the lawn of Strasbourg this Saturday night (1-1), the Parisian coach has offered himself a new national title at the end of an exercise where nothing has been simple for him and his team. After the meeting, the technician confided his joy to have won this new title and explained, very clearly, that he deserved to lead the club of the capital for a second consecutive season, while PSG is looking for a successor.
What emotion predominates after the officialization of this championship title?
CHRISTOPHE GALTIER. I'm happy because it's a historic title. I'm happy because this afternoon I watched the multiplex in the Bundesliga and being champion is difficult. It was a very special season, we had to stay the course in very difficult times. I pay tribute to my players who have not given up and who have always wanted to go for this title. I am very happy. I do not want it to be trivialized. Eight players were missing, seven were present, at the hotel before the game, in the dressing room. It shows the mindset of this group, whatever people may think.
Why wasn't Neymar there?
Neymar has problems moving, but he was present yesterday (Friday) in the dressing room for the last training session. Don't make conclusions. Ney was the first present, he was of an incredible level in the first part of the season. Hugo (Ekitike) could not move for a health problem. The others were there, in the preparation, at half-time, to celebrate this title.
Is it a happiness comparable to the title won with Lille?
They are different emotions. When we were champions with Losc it was an incredible performance to finish ahead of PSG, it was unexpected. No one could have thought that Lille would be champions. In Paris, there is this obligation of result. I'm not relieved, I'm very happy that PSG are champions, to have led this team and that we were able to lead them to the title. The flavors are not the same.
"You didn't spare me"
This season is still paradoxical when we look at the numbers and the game offered...
It's normal that it brews because when you are eliminated against OM, it was a counter-performance. Same in the Champions League. It's normal that it brews when you lose against Rennes, Lyon or Lorient even if the contexts are different. The fair analysis you don't want to make is that there was a PSG before the World Cup and a PSG after the World Cup with very important players who could not play.
Will you defend this title with PSG next season?
I said yesterday that there is everything you can say, write, analysis, remarks, malice, non-respect, for some. There is everything I live internally, in this second half of the season with my managers, the players, the management. There is a big gap between what the media can say and what I experience on a daily basis.
Do you think you deserve a second season on this bench?
Yes. What for? Because I gave it my all in this season, with a lot of energy. We have been able to stay the course in very, very difficult times, both personally and professionally. You have not spared me. We are champions, we won the Champions Trophy. Catastrophic seasons are when PSG are not champions. We didn't achieve the goal in the France Cup and the Champions League, but it was very complicated. Yes, I personally feel that I deserve to continue.
Those above you think the same thing?
You don't know. I have answered you.