the essential
Dismissed by the TFC in August 2017 after 22 years in his role as speaker of the Violets, Jacques Breda will return to the microphone of his Stadium this Sunday. If he knows from the outset that the emotion will be immense for him who has hardly returned for eight years, he is above all hoping for an exploit from Union-Saint-Jean to turn the page in the best possible way. Interview.
Jacques, you return to the Stadium microphone years after your last match as TFC announcer, how did it work behind the scenes?
A friend, who is the relative of the president of Union-Saint-Jean, sent me a message to tell me that the president wanted, if I were free, for me to host the match on Sunday. I immediately gave my consent, after ensuring that I would be released from my entertainment obligations at the Granada racecourse. When I accepted, I had two feelings.
Which ones?
The first is pride in being entrusted with this big Coupe de France match. It’s definitely exciting when you’re a sports lover like I am. Then, there was this symbolism of the return to the Stadium, seven and a half years later. I still have a wound that is a little open in relation to all of this (in August 2017, after 22 years as speaker, he was suddenly sacked by the former TFC management team, Editor’s note). In my head, I told myself that it was destiny winking at me. It will be a way for me to return at least once to the Stadium to turn the page and close this file.
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So it will be the last of the lasts for you this Sunday at the Stadium?
Compared to my past as a TFC speaker, yes. I’m not saying that I won’t come back if asked for the Coupe de France for example, but my dismissal was very difficult to accept, as a lover of the Violets. There, I will be able to turn this page in style. If Union-Saint-Jean does the feat, maybe they will host again and I will come back, who knows… I hope they will do a feat, with or without Breda!
We feel proud to support this small Haut-Garonnais club…
Oh yes, I’m proud of it! I am proud to be at their side as I was for US Revel against PSG last year or when I accompanied Montauban on his journey a few years ago. It is also recognition of my work over the years.
Have you returned to the Stadium since your dismissal?
Twice, yes. Once to “feel the Stadium”, because I missed it too much, but in a match where I had voluntarily placed myself very aside in the stand. Then, another time to accompany my son who wanted me to come at all costs. Otherwise, I didn’t go back. I was in too much pain, honestly.
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How are you preparing for this match which will look like a big comeback for you. Emotions are likely to be strong…
First of all, I want to say that I return to the Stadium with great humility. There is no question of saying: “I am Jacques Breda, push yourself, I will come back”. I am putting myself at the service of a club which has achieved an achievement and which, I hope, will achieve another. Concerning the emotion, it will be there, that’s for sure. My phone doesn’t stop ringing, I receive texts from my friends who will be at the match too, because they know the importance that this place obviously has for me.
You may not recognize the Stadium you knew. Are you looking forward to rediscovering the beast from the inside?
I count the days, yes. To tell you the truth, I work on Sunday morning, I host a conference, but I already know that my mind will be in the afternoon. It’s impossible for me to do otherwise. This club, TFC, is my whole life. This stadium has been my home for 22 years. The reunion will have a special taste, three days before Christmas, that will be my gift in advance.
Returning to TFC, is it still in the back of your mind or have you had the opportunity over the last seven years?
First, I want to say my great respect for Pierre Rivalland and Olivier Da Costa (the TFC speakers, Editor’s note). I never had the opportunity to come back, no, but I never took the initiative. I always preferred to say loud and clear that if they needed me, they could call me without worry, but I didn’t want to force it. If I had to come back, I would have gone without hesitation.
Will we be entitled to the famous “And for L’Union-Saint-Jean hip hip hip”?
(He laughs) Certainly ! Just before kick-off! I have to keep this identity that has often been thrown back at me, often with dismay, this “and for the hip hip hip TFC”. What’s funny is that people ask me to do it when they pass me in the street. I promise, I will!
Finally, a little prediction?
(He thinks) Oh damn… Come on, Union-Saint-Jean is going to win on penalties! This will be the feat of these 32es of the Coupe de France final.
