She taking office was crowned with success with an accession to the Top 14 in 2017 and two retentions in 2018 and 2019, the first of which was in front of Stade Français! Since then, from Covid to a record series of defeats, including the aborted sale of the club, the president of SU Agen Jean-François Fonteneau – who has already seen half a dozen managers pass through – has gone from disappointment to disillusionment. The start of the season ended with a poor 12e However, this place does not discourage those who count on a certain stability to hope for better days.
The SUAs 12e after 12 days with only 2 points ahead of the jump-off, what does this situation inspire you?
We hoped to be in a better position. When we redo the film, if we win three more matches, there is nothing to say. But the coin does not land on the right side. We're missing a little something. Today, what is important is the British ranking. We are at +1 (10e) and behind a few teams are struggling below that waterline [NDLR : Nice est à -7 et Nevers à -9]. This 13e day is going to be “the day of death” since the last six face each other. These are of course very high stakes matches. We receive twice (Oyonnax and Aurillac), so we know our strategy.
The SUA remains on five victories in its last 18 matches (not counting the 2 preparation matches). Does this worry you?
What is certain is that a positive dynamic has not been established. When we see, for example, the dynamics of Montauban (5e tied) who could have lost three or four matches, it is reversed for us. We need to find this dynamic again. I think we have the means to do it. We can blame certain elements, for which we had a little ambition, for not being there. With the injuries to combat leaders like Arnaud Duputs and John Madignan, these are situations which today penalize our squad. But despite everything, we cannot denigrate the investment of the players and staff.
So what are the levers to activate to try to redress the situation?
We must try to work on rigor. Having some experience, I am aware – like the coaches – of the situation which can be extremely dangerous. But there must also be awareness among the players. What is paradoxical is that they are in a comfort which is often above certain teams which shine. In Agen, we have more lamb than lion today. At a certain point, it’s a situation that starts to be a little heavy to bear. I would rather have a few good “bastards” – in the good sense of the word – than nice ones.
Do you plan to speak to players to ensure this awareness?
Not for now. These are things that must be done at a certain time, whether to distribute good points or bad points. But for this match against Oyonnax, everyone will have enough pressure, so I don't want to add pressure to pressure. I hope there will be a lot of awareness among the players. Otherwise, I can guarantee you that it won't go very well…
“I hope there will be a big awareness on the part of the players”
Pro D2. Before Oyonnax, SU Agen on the tightrope
The Agenais return home with the pressure of the result. Friday's shock (7:30 p.m.) promises to be crucial for an SUA which must relaunch against the Oyomen who, too, have four defeats in a row
With four receptions over the next five days, is this schedule an advantage for getting back on track?
Indeed, we have our destiny in our hands. We will have to do the right thing, apply our strategy correctly, not overplay in certain areas, and be able to repeat what we did in the first half in Béziers. But our replacements have not at all returned to wage war and accelerate things. Everyone needs to be on the same level. We have a few players today who are not at the level we expected them to be. We will have to be at 150% and for all 23 players to be driven by the same determination. These slack at the start of the second half, these air gaps, it's becoming painful.
Can these next matches call into question the construction of the staff and the squad for next season?
There will of course be player departures, renewals, choices will be made. But regarding the staff and the manager in particular, we left to work with Sébastien (Calvet) for three years together and we are going to see it through to the end. I don't want to add instability with situations like we've experienced recently. Moreover, in clubs which have convincing results like Béziers or Grenoble, the manager has not changed. There is no question that Sébastien will be called into question, on the contrary. In-depth work is being undertaken with this staff over time, there are things that will end up paying off. We know our shortcomings. Afterwards, the state of mind of the players is important, we have to be able to instill it.
After more than seven years as president, are you still as motivated to support this club or are you feeling a certain weariness?
I won't hide the fact that it's heavy. But I am the majority shareholder of the SASP at more than 80%, I am the club's guarantor, so if tomorrow I wanted to leave, I can do so, but that would be irresponsible. And then I like the men, we move forward with the staff, the club employees, the partners with whom we also maintain constructive discussions. It's important, we try to develop the club, to look for new partnerships and to stabilize this part which is important. But we, of course, need to be helped by sporting results.
