NDon't look for his CV on the internet. Wikipedia does not know Christophe Hamacek. Not even a few lines to recall his years as a hooker at Clermont-Ferrand, Dax and his last minutes of play at Saint-Paul-lès-Dax. Damn neck pain. Even less to list his coaching stints at Salies-de-Béarn (Fédérale 3 and 2), Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse (Fédérale 1), Béziers (Pro D2), Cognac/Saint-Jean-d'Angély ( Federal 1), Rouen (Pro D2) to Langon (Fédérale 1, Nationale 2, then Nationale) for three seasons.
Such is rugby. Without glittering careers, without selection, the doors do not open wide, even for the most hard-working. “There are no small teams and I am very happy with my career,” retorts Hamacek, 57 years old. It allowed me to acquire knowledge of players, group phenomena, how to get each guy to give their best in the interest of the collective. » Until the two successive titles and the two climbs with Stade Langonnais and an 8th place after 12 days in the 100% professional world of Nationale with a 100% multi-active team. Langon is four points behind 6th, Albi, and has already beaten Bourgoin, Massy and Carcassonne last Sunday (32-24).
With this incredible journey, all eyes ended up turning towards the Béarnais de Salies. To discover what? Let him get by with a single field for 500 licensees, lighting redone this year and a new yoke ordered in June but finally received a few days ago. No need to talk to him about guru or doctrine, he prefers “miracle worker or charismatic influencer”. So Instagram didn't invent everything.
Child's play
What do the influenced say? “He brought rigor and demands, while talking about pleasure,” explains captain and third row Thomas Mendy. I think the positivity he instills gets into our heads and makes us want to strip ourselves on the pitch. He is a passionate leader of men.” “We forgot that it was first and foremost a game,” slips Hamacek, his blue eyes shining and a child’s smile.
“He manages to differentiate the pain in the ass who still works for the team from the one who makes a mess”
This is surely where his flame comes from. About the passion for the game and the fun it provides. Of the ever-present probability of overthrowing the adversary, whoever he may be. “I like being the brat who’s going to play a dirty trick. Again this season, when we see the big clubs in the championship, I keep this state of mind. I tell them that home matches are all finals and that you have to win them with the awareness of how exciting it is to play. »
Romain Cabannes, companion of the double title, who left for Orléans, witnessed this transmission: “It’s boiling, it’s a volcano. When the day of the match comes, he finds his childish soul again. What impresses me is the energy he puts with the guys. » But as a demanding hard worker, he is not unanimously accepted. “Yes, there are players who left during the season,” admits Mendy. “Of course, he is whole, but fair,” Cabannes defends him. He manages to differentiate the annoying person who still works for the team from the one who makes a mess.” His former teammate at US Dax, Olivier Roumat, remembers a long-standing involvement: “He has always had this passion. Already as a player, he had thoughts on the game, he was always seeking to understand in order to optimize, to do better. »
“On an equal footing with Galthié”
It’s like that, it’s visceral. Stronger than him. So sometimes it comes out without warning. Like the announcement of his departure from Langon in the press, in the middle of the third half of a won Nationale 2 play-off. “I was going to lose Romain (Cabannes), I was fed up with our conditions training but ultimately it pissed everyone off,” he admits. Or like these very critical tweets from the coach of the XV of France, Fabien Galthié. “I trained all the categories, and him? I feel very legitimate. I'm not saying I have the truth, but I have convictions. So yes, I am on an equal footing with Galthié to talk about rugby. » That's good, his long-time friend, the singer Cali (read elsewhere), would like to see him coach the Blues.
Christophe Hamacek will celebrate his 58th birthday on December 7, when he hosts Narbonne in the championship.
Bernard Mugica
Before getting there, can Christophe Hamacek, who lives in Contis, in the Landes, return to coach among the pros? Surely, yes. “In a managerial position, he would be very good,” Mendy bets. But ordered by someone, I don't know…” To date, the technician is in discussions with a Top 14 club and a Pro D2 club around a forwards coaching position. A National club wishing to return to Pro D2 offered him the role of manager. “For now, I’m listening,” concludes the main person concerned. Light yes, but not at any cost.
