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Franck Chaumin (55 years old) is a native of Blois. After being a player for around ten years, he became a goalkeeper coach at Guingamp, Nantes, Vannes and with the Mali selection before joining the Girondins de Bordeaux in 2011. We offer you an interview to read and listen to the podcast at the bottom of this article.
WebGirondins: Franck, how and why did you arrive in Bordeaux?
I was with Alain Giresse's Mali selection. Unfortunately, Dominique Dropsy had a medical problem and I was contacted. Franck Manteau, with whom I had worked in Nantes, moved up to the pros and I arrived at the training where one person was missing. It was a great pride to join the Girondins de Bordeaux in 2011.
How did you feel when you recently left the Girondins?
Complicated. The way it was done was a bit brutal. On Thursday morning, I am in training with the goalkeepers and in a video session to prepare for the match against Blois with the group. At noon, I come home and see an email from the club telling me that my contract ends this evening. There was no delay. It was brutal. It never feels good to be released like this. I wish the staff and the current team happiness, but I have great bitterness.
Were you on a fixed-term contract?
Yes, they ended on June 31. I am not the only one concerned, because the other coaches in the training received this news by email at lunchtime to free us.
What do you remember from your journey in Bordeaux over these 13 years?
Joining the Girondins de Bordeaux was huge for me. The atmosphere for 8 years was exceptional, filled with values and solidarity and kindness. As a colleague said: “be serious without taking yourself seriously”. The results were there with Patrick Battiston at the helm, with Jean-Luc Dogon, Philippe Lucas, Pierre Espanol, Matthieu Chalmé. There have been 8 exceptional years. Afterwards, like everyone else, we saw the club change its policy and profile. Values, such as kindness, and consideration of training have disappeared. The relationship between sports and administration was a strength, but they divided and perhaps conquered better.
“Every day I looked at the scapular on my chest and I was proud”
What are the highlights that you want to remember?
There have been so many. Especially when we won the French U19 National Championship with Jean-Luc Dogon (2017), or when we won the Gambardella in 2013 with the double in the Coupe de France. It was a big moment for everyone. There were good times every day with my colleague François Bommé and our goalkeepers. Every day I looked at the scapular on my chest and was proud to be there. The atmosphere was great and we had results, which is important.
Which players or personalities have had an impact on you during your career at the Girondins?
It's a complicated question, there are several goalkeepers who are involved. I was lucky to have motivated and motivating goalkeepers who listened. We were happy to see our goalkeepers join the professional squad. It was our goal for our players, we were happy for them, and with the work accomplished.
I can name a goalkeeper like Davy Rouyard who had enormous potential and who was not understood. Jérôme Prior was not supported as he should have been and had extraordinary potential. I can also mention Gaëtan Poussin or Corentin Michel, but I don't want to forget any like the young people who are at the club today.
Have you created an emotional bond with your guardians?
Yes, we have to. Our key word with François Bommé is to give them confidence, even if everyone works differently. You have to get to know them on and off the field to have good teaching. This role as trainer and educator is fascinating. I gained a huge foot.
What did Davy Rouyard miss?
He lacked support, a form of consideration. I don't want to talk about what happened (shoe theft, Editor's note), but when he arrived at the pros, he wasn't accompanied, he was even scary. He did stupid things. Some people made much more serious ones and we didn't hear about them. It's not too late for him. Its potential is enormous. He needs to be more aware of his potential, and push himself a little harder. The club went through this youngster like many others. Jérôme Prior is the same thing, his arrival in the pros was complicated. Now he's having a blast in Scotland (Livingston FC), I'm on the phone with him a lot and he's happy.
You also spent time on the staff of the professional group
Yes, I arrived at the pros with Jocelyn Gourvennec. After his ouster, the staff came with foreign coaches. I was lucky enough to be reclassified to the training that I really like. I was present when Costil arrived.
“We don’t take 13 years away from the club overnight”
What are you going to do now? What are your desires?
Considering how the last few months have gone with the loss of pro status learned by the press as well as the end of the training center it's hot… all the places have been taken in the other clubs, and we find ourselves with our mouths in the 'water. The important thing was to find a club for our young people, now we are on the side. You have to digest. You don't take 13 years away from the club overnight. I'm listening. The most important deadline is to be able to officially register with France Travail. (Employees in breach of contract had not yet received their balance from any account at the start of the week, Editor's note).
I'm going to find my family, because football is from Monday to Sunday. He's an energy and happiness eater too. You have to make sacrifices, so I'm going to take advantage of these moments.
“The main thing is not to be big, but to be worthy”
Are you going to come to Matmut Atlantique to see the home team play?
No. I was made to understand that I no longer had my place. I follow the results, because I have worked with the first team since July 11 and also with the new staff Bruno Irles and Dado Prso. I was in my element, the group is healthy. It's good to see a group without in this club. I wish the staff and players happiness. Many of us have been kicked out. You have to digest.
It's going to take you some time
I do not understand why the authorities allowed this gentleman to do this within a club like Bordeaux, a heritage of French football, a Bordeaux and regional heritage. Bordeaux was the 8th training club from 2000 to 2020 in Europe, among the top training clubs in France.
What do you think of Lassana Diabaté and his style of play, he is not very tall (1.83m)?
He has a good mentality, he is a good goalkeeper. You don't have to be big. I use a sentence from Gaëtan Huard: “the main thing is not to be big, but to be good enough”. That's what he did. He has a good kicking game, he has no stress, he is reassuring and his start to the season is exceptional with this goal scored with a header against Poitiers. It gives you great confidence. He is present today and is doing the club a service. The other goalkeepers who accompany him are around him (Georges Grimaud, Over Mandanda, Damien Lecroart, Tom Ducou) are present, and he is not pretentious. We created a family spirit of goalkeepers and he joined this family, it's great, I'm very happy for him.
N.P
Listen to the podcast of this interview:
