Calendar, Atkinson excluded, French coach, Fauthoux favorite… What we know about Collet’s successor

Paris 2024 is over. The French basketball team is heading to Los Angeles 2028 and even Brisbane 2032. It will be without Vincent Collet, whose term has ended.by mutual agreement» with the French Basketball Federation (FFBB) after 15 years of good and loyal service. “I have already rewatched the games as if I were going to coach the next window”smiles the 61-year-old Norman technician. It remains to be seen who will be on the bench of the Blues on November 21 and 24, against Cyprus, during the next international window. The news was not revealed on Monday at the FFBB headquarters.

The various speakers present in the 13th arrondissement on Monday nevertheless provided a certain number of clues, starting with President Siutat, who indicated that the objective is to communicate “at the latest by the end of September”The task was entrusted to DTN Alain Contensoux, to the director of the French teams Jacky Commères and to the General Manager Boris Diaw.

Also read“It was the right time for this final curtain”: Collet’s emotion after the end of his “love story” with the Blues

Many applications

One thing is certain: there is no shortage of suitors. “Since the end of the Games, we have received applications, we are studying this to present a staff project at the end of September. There are many people interested in the French team”smiles Alain Contensoux, assuring that the decision-makers will take “the current staff in consideration”. So this concerns Pascal Donnadieu and Rudy Nelhomme. Not Kenny Atkinson. Unsurprisingly, the new Cleveland coach is not among the contenders for obvious reasons of schedule. No question of having a part-time coach. “It doesn’t seem possible.”summarizes the National Technical Director. What about a foreign coach? “I would rather favor a French coach. We have coaches with high potential, we have significant possibilities in France”he assures.

Even if he remains within the “Fédé” fold, Vincent Collet will obviously not be concerned by the search for his successor. “Vincent can help the new staff, support them”underlines President Jean-Pierre Siutat. “I will obviously not be on the bench and my missions will have nothing to do with the French men’s teamspecifies Collet. I will be ready to speak with the future staff if they wish and only if they wish. If the future staff of the French team wants to share with me I will obviously be available. Noted.

Also readBasketball: Vincent Collet and the Blues, it’s officially over

France team coach? It would be an honour to be appointed to that position.

Freddy Fauthoux

Note that it will be up to the future selector to compose his staff. The trio Contensoux/Commères/Diaw will submit the name of the candidate to President Siutat and the elected representatives of the FFBB. The framework is set. All that remains is to work. However, one name is on everyone’s lips. “I think we all know who it will be.”they whisper internally. This is about Freddy Fauthoux, who was also received by the “Fédé” several months ago, as the person concerned recently explained in the columns of Progress . “I was able to explain what I could bring to this position.”he said, recalling having “This goal for several years. Everyone would like to select and coach this French team. It also represents a huge responsibility because it is the showcase of French basketball. I am aware of what it is and it would be an honor to be appointed to this position.”

Aged 51, Fauthoux wore the French team jersey 47 times, from 1997 to 2005, with a bronze medal won at Euro 2005. Father of the French international Marine Fauthoux, silver medalist with Jean-Aimé Toupane’s Bleues at Paris 2024, he spent his entire playing career at Pau-Orthez, notably winning seven French championship titles. He embarked on a coaching career at Pau-Nord-Est in NM3, before taking the reins of Paris-Levallois and officiating as number 1 bis at Asvel, alongside TJ Parker. Since 2022, he has been at the head of Bourg-en-Bresse. “Being the coach of the French team and the coach of JL Bourg, it’s compatible with my way of working”he assures. Dare you?

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