Poitiers
Pau
Appointed general manager of Poitiers Basket 86 at the beginning of April, a club for which he has been a consultant since 2021 and the relegation to NM1, Arnaud Marius will be present this Friday, May 3 on the occasion of the arrival of Pau-Lacq-Orthez for a decisive match in the optics of qualifying for the play-offs.
This will be his first outing in his new role. “I had already come to the Arena during the match against Châlons-Reims. I will officially take up my duties from July but we are already preparing for next season”confides the person concerned.
“I am happy to take part in this new era”
What image did you have of Poitiers Basket 86 before joining it as a consultant and, now, as general manager?
“PB is a respected club in the French basketball landscape. It had a great history with players like Cédric Gomez, Guilllaume Costentin, Pierre-Yves Guillard… This whole generation carried the PB colors high with loyal foreigners. Today, it is an ambitious, dynamic project. I am happy to be part of this new era. I hope that we will be able to rediscover the great times that the public of Saint-Eloi and, now, of the Arena Futuroscope were able to experience. This season is the first stone on the path with an enthusiastic PB relying on endearing players. »
After having been a consultant since the relegation to NM1, you were appointed general manager of the club in April. Is this a logical sequence?
“We have been working together for a little over two seasons. At the time of relegation to NM1, the club wanted to have a fresh, outside perspective on its functioning. The managers expressed the wish to return to the position of general manager. It was offered to me. I was already fully aware of the club and the choice was quite natural. »
The coach has the last word on recruits
Arnaud Marius, general manager of Poitiers Basket
What will be your prerogatives?
“It’s about supervising all the club’s activities with the sporting aspect, but also the accounting and finances without forgetting the commercial, marketing and communication part. I already have experience as a general manager in Gravelines but also as a sports director in Pau. »
The forces present.
© (Infographic NR-CP)
On the sporting aspect, how will you share the work with the coach?
“In my mode of operation, the coach has the last word regarding the recruits. Beforehand, I must give him as much information as possible, basketball and non-basketball, to make his choices and minimize the risk of an error. We want to ramp up scouting (study of players) throughout the year in order to be responsive. Finally, we want to find a post-training DNA by welcoming elements with high potential capable of expressing themselves in Pro B as Evan Fournier, Sekou Doumbouya or Youssoupha Fall were able to do. »
Mohamed Diawara has this profile within the squad. Is it possible to keep it next season?
“This is the first stone of this new project even if we also have Imanol Prot who is local. If Mohamed Diawara had stayed in Paris (he has been on loan from Paris Basket since December), he would not have played much. This is the kind of profile we want. We really like Mohamed. He can be even more impactful by staying one more year in Pro B. Afterwards, there is career management for him with his agent. For now, this involves registering for the NBA Draft. We’ll see what the future has in store for us. This is not an issue on which we can move forward in the short term. But it would be a pleasure if he stayed in Poitiers. »
The priority is to focus on the stability of the squad next season. What about today ?
“We are discussing, certain files are moving forward in a positive direction with the objective of keeping a core for the next financial year. Guillaume Eyango has already resigned. With Jonathan Jeanne, things are normally on track. We also speak with Luka Rupnik. We could make announcements soon…”
We could make announcements soon
Arnaud Marius, general manager of Poitiers Basket
And for the coach, where are the negotiations for the extension of Andy Thornton-Jones?
“With the management, we met with Andy to take stock of the last few months. We also presented to him the project that we are implementing, with this desire to develop young potential. Due to his strength as a trainer and his desire to carry the PB, discussions are fruitful with Andy Thornton-Jones who should be at the head of the club next season. »
Having already acquired maintenance allows you to get a head start in building the next team…
“Staying in Pro B was the only objective. Today, we are competitors and Friday’s match is very important in terms of qualifying for the play-offs. Players want to taste it to complete the adventure. For a promoted person, being able to reach the top 8 marks the return of the PB in Pro B. Having ensured maintenance gives a certain comfort in setting up the structure. »
You spent seven months at Elan Béarnais as sports director (December 2021 to June 2022). Is the arrival of this club on Friday special for you?
“I know someone in the camp opposite. There were many twists and turns, good and bad, during my time with the American shareholding. We won a Coupe de France at Bercy. We lost in the play-offs against Monaco. These are strong memories. What followed was more complicated. It was a stage during which I learned a lot of things. »
The PB 86 in the play-offs from Friday evening?
For this last outing of the season at home in the regular phase, the Arena Futuroscope will be sold out on Friday May 3, 2024 for the arrival of Pau-Lacq-Orthez. “A great poster,” says Andy Thornton-Jones. Nearly 5,200 spectators will push the PB to seek qualification for the play-offs. Which could be effective at the end of the match in the event of a victory and if, at the same time, Gries and Antibes lose. The BP (7e) would also definitively rule out Elan Béarnais (8e). The two teams have the same balance sheet but Poitiers won by one point in the first leg. “We necessarily plan ahead. We know that a victory is essential. The main thing, however, remains preparation for the match,” confides the Poitevin coach.
A declared candidate for a return to Betclic Elite, Pau remains a bastion of French basketball. PB has already faced Elan Béarnais four times this season for three wins and one defeat. “Just because this team has been successful for us so far doesn’t mean that will still be the case on Friday. Pau is very dangerous offensively and changes its defenses a lot. He is a quality opponent. »
Besides Oguine, Kensmil or Curier, Affo-Mama, moved to position 4 since Munnings’ injury, and Gilder, recruited from outside to replace the latter, will need to be monitored.
