After the official announcement of the takeover of ASBH by an Irish investment fund, represented by Andrew Mehrtens and Bob Sinskad, coach Pierre Caillet expressed his feelings.
Were you worried about this takeover project? If so, are you still?
I don't see why I would be worried. I know how a rugby club works. And I know what club revivals or non-club revivals can be. We're used to it, in Béziers. And we are hard-headed.
As I said before, we don't focus too much on that. We didn't wait for people to arrive to do our work. Now that people are arriving, we continue to do it, as usual.
The important thing, first of all, was to find buyers. This was the first step.
And what’s next?
The questions about the athlete, as you have seen, have not yet been addressed. There are a lot of things that are unclear about the sequel and the different projects. But afterwards, on the buyout as a whole, we are in complete agreement. The guys know that we can't have a project lasting one or two years.
Andrew (Mehrtens) is an intelligent person. To create a stable project, you know it's three or four years, no less.
Within the athlete, have you imagined scenarios, sauces with which you will be eaten?
No way. What sauce do you want to eat? We must have been eaten ten times over four years here. We know sauces well in Béziers. But honestly, I think you have an image of us that we are stressed. No way.
We grew up. This team grew up amidst all these difficulties. Today, frankly, apart from throwing jokes… We have no apprehension.
We know the mayor, he is square. Those who come, too. They know rugby. That's important. It's not just anything either.
“We grew up derisive of this bullshit”
Mehrtens seemed to be saying that you will be free in the sporting part, your hands will not be tied.
For me, there is a reassuring side because I am not there to make friends or relationships with people I know. Today, you know it's a professional sport, you're there to do your job. The sportsman, as I said, has not yet been discussed. The buyout was the first step. Then we'll see. What more can we say than that?
For three years, we have put in place solid, stable foundations. In offices and on sports. The buyers know this. Now we have to see how to improve it. They know the adage very well: “Leave the jersey in better condition than you found it.”
There is no stress to be had. The important thing is not the men, it's the club, that people enjoy themselves at the stadium. Today, we are all happy that the club continues to move forward with a new project. That's the most important thing. Now, who will lead, who will recruit, I don't think it's important.
Andrew Mehrtens mentioned a three-four year project, where the club wants to give itself the means to play in the final stages, or even the climb. What do you think?
We want to be present as often as possible in the top 6 and relive the final phases. We want to experience what we haven't experienced yet, a final. Already, there is a project that is being built to try to find that again.
Afterwards, of course, with additional means… Perhaps afterwards, this 3-year project will turn into 4 or 5 years with the ultimate goal.
Do you feel the players are concerned, affected?
There are some exchanges. I keep them informed of everything. But it doesn't really affect them. Every year we are told that we are going to be redeemed. We grew up derisive of this bullshit. The group is not stressed. I told them that the group would not move.
“We have to stop talking about millions”
Had you spoken with Andrew Mehrtens beforehand?
We discussed, let's say, unofficially. That means we have thoughts rather than a strategy. But that's normal. The first step had to be validated before putting everything in place. In the other projects, all of which fell through, you heard more about the athlete, the high-sounding names. And at the end, nothing at all.
Today, I think the most important thing is to have the club first before talking about anything else.
Expectations are high among supporters…
But of course. Already, last year, we recreated the flame. Nobody thought we could do it. Everyone has seen the values of Béziers. Nothing is impossible here. There, the supporters must not get even more excited. The main thing is that the team is rotating. People are arriving to perpetuate the club, to make it evolve.
We have to stop talking about millions. We can clearly see that it doesn't work like that. Already, they will keep the budget. And then, little by little, there will be more money. They are intelligent people. We must stop believing that by injecting millions, you will then move up to the Top 14.
