He is here at home. In its old classroom, more precisely. From the time when the Langoiran school was located in the present town hall square. “I was rather at the bottom of the class,” says Alain Giresse, 72, laughing. The former international football, passed by the Girondins de Bordeaux, was born in this small village, between vines and Garonne. Saturday, January 25, he received the distinction of honorary citizens from the hands of Mayor Jean-François Boras.
During his career, the footballer had already received many titles, including that of European champion with the French team, a field player who played the most matches in the history of the French championship (587) or even The Legion of Honor in 2007. He insisted, modestly: “I do not run after prices, but this one particularly touches me. Being decorated by your native village has a special flavor. It's my story, my roots. »»
The child of Langoiran
If he had not been spotted by the Girondins, Alain Giresse was intended to become a carpenter in the Langoiran family workshop. Would he have been happy? “Of course, I would have played football at my level. Becoming a professional player was not my goal, I just wanted to play, I succeeded, so much the better. But I think my life would have been happy too if I had been a carpenter. »»
Archives Michel André / SO
Alain Giresse was to take over from his father Jacques, carpenter in Langoiran. Here in July 1982.
Between two trips, the footballer has always returned to recharge his batteries in his house in Haux (4 kilometers from Langoiran). “In Bordeaux, people were interested in my status: '' Ah, he is the football player, he is the captain of the Girondins ''. Here, I have always been '' the child of Langoiran '' and that suits me well. I claim it. »»
Archives Vincent Olivar / SO
The young footballer poses with the family during a vacation in his house in Haux.
If he sold his house to settle in Toulouse in the 1990s, he insisted on the strong bond which always unites him to the town. “When I write 'born in Langoiran' 'on the documents, I tell myself that children who are born in Langoiran, it should no longer happen much. “The mayor specifies:” There was one, last year, born at home. It had not happened since 1981. ”
“My grandchildren find it difficult to understand that the Girondins were at the top of the poster”
Alain Giresse regularly returns to the family home, where he was born, avenue Michel-Picon, and on the platforms of Garonne where he has memories “between friends, to watch the mascaret pass”.
“The Girondins, below everything”
The legend of the Girondins took advantage of his speech to comment on his heart club. “We completely tumbled because we had a suicide bomber as president at the head of this club. He has managed his business well, because we are below everything. My grandchildren who are starting to take an interest in football tell me '' But, gone, did you play the Girondins? In this club? ''. They find it difficult to understand that this club was at the top of the poster. It is a story that I hope, will manage. »»
Archives Laurent Theillet / SO
He had received the Oscar of Honor at the 60th anniversary of the South West sport Oscars in 2023.
While asking him about his last mission as a Kosovo coach until 2023, he said that “it was the last, for the moment”. “Gigi” probably does not intend to retire immediately. “It's on stand-by, we will see what the future has in store for me. »»
