Between FC Villefranche-Beaujolais and leader Maxime Blanc. A story never closed. Always driven by a certain idea of the beautiful game. Dense sporting adventures, too. In several stages. From 2017 to 2021, firstly, with a rise to National at stake (2018)a round of 16 of the French Cup in 2019 against PSG (0-3 ap)lost play-offs for promotion to Ligue 2 against Niort (2021). Then a second Beaujolais page, after 2022, and a season in Bourg, to add some more beautiful lines from its history with Calade. He will therefore have known everything here. Won matches, friends (Jasse, Taufflieb, Lacour…) and built strong links with the Caladois public who will have seen him for the last time, at Chouffet, on May 18, for a success (2-1), perhaps useful in the hope of a National draft. He had been the captain of this team, with Alain Pochat, one of the coaches who best built the word confidence in him. He will now be under the leadership of another technician – offensive – well known to the Caladois: the former coach of GOAL FC, Fabien Pujo, new guide of AS Cannes who in his past saw the growth of the greatest number 10 French: Zinédine Zidane… Everything except a coincidence. Goodbye interview for Maxime Blanc who, however, wants to believe that his story in Beaujolais will never be closed…
After the end of the FCVB championship and this 13e place in National, how did the opportunity arise to sign in Cannes in National 2 ?
“As soon as the championship ended, I discussed with Villefranche the conditions for an extension and the terms of the contract. Then some time later, the opportunity to go to Cannes presented itself very quickly with a first contact from club sports director (editor’s note; Sébastien Perez) and the coach (Fabien Pujo). The project mentioned convinced me. There is ambition and I think that sportingly, I can have a blast there. It was everything that counted: the living environment, a great offer. We thought a lot about it with my family because we remain very attached to the FCVB and the region. It was a difficult decision to make. In the end, we hope that it will be THE right choice for us. Often, we know what we are leaving behind, less what we will find, even if we have guarantees in Cannes.”
You are leaving a club which has meant a lot in your career, Villefranche. The choice to take this gamble in Cannes has what attraction ?
“We’re not going to hide it, it’s also a financial opportunity. At my age (32 ans), this will perhaps be one of the last good contracts that I can sign. As I said, it remains an ambitious project with the objective of moving up to National even if we know how hard it is to achieve it. I went to Cannes to meet them, and very quickly, I felt that the club really had the means to achieve its ambitions. Being part of this project can be a great experience. I will try to bring the youngest with me towards the climb to N1. I have the impression that we can have a blast, with a great game to boot!”
How did the presence of Fabien Pujo, the former coach of GOAL FC, in Cannes weigh on your decision? ?
“As most coaches do, we spoke on the phone. He presented to me his playing principles, and the way he plans to use me in the team. I was convinced. Before this contact, I had echoes on his way of making his teams play. Furthermore, he is a coach who has the experience of moving up to the National level, acquired at Toulon and at GOAL FC.
“I will remember the pleasure of having played at Armand-Chouffet, in a family club”
Finding the N2 again after several seasons in National often remains a difficult milestone to overcome. This challenge did not deter your desire to join Cannes. ?
“I thought of everything, obviously. In N1, we played on Friday evening. I have children who play on Saturday. It allowed me to follow them, a little more. The family weekend was also important . In Cannes, there will be changes in this context, but we can’t have everything. I tell myself that I still have a few good years ahead of me. that I think about having fun on the pitch. It’s important for me, that was also possible. Now, I really hope that Cannes will represent a very good opportunity, in the end.
Has the uncertainty surrounding the FCVB situation, regarding a possible National draft, influenced your desire to find a new challenge? ?
“Yes, even if I think that Villefranche will be drafted compared to the situation of some clubs in National (Niort, Rouen…). We weighed the pros and cons as a family. I left quite a few friends here. And it really bothers me. My wife is going to leave a job to which she was very attached, in Villefranche. But again, you can’t have it all.”
What will you keep from your Calado years? ?
“The pleasure of having played at Armand-Chouffet, in such a family club. I will only keep good memories of the club. We really enjoyed the Beaujolais region. I thank all the people who were able to help me during all these Why not come back here, one day, to live there? We’ll see what opportunities arise, whatever happens, I keep Villefranche in the back of my mind and my heart, too. sure and certain! When I see how hard it was to choose…”
