Arnaud Bodart recounts his departure from Standard for the first time: “I was one of the people targeted to recover money”

It’s upstairs, in a room cosy adjoining the press room, that Arnaud Bodart gave us his first interview since his free departure from Standard a week ago. The 26-year-old from Liège, already settled with his partner and his son, is living again in Moselle, after tense last months in his favorite club (190 matches in A). Relieved and healed from his thigh injury, he shares his feelings about the first transfer of his life.

Free transfer, six-month contract, relaunch for compensation: the behind the departure of Arnaud Bodart to Metz

Arnaud, was it obvious to agree to sign in Ligue 2 despite the assurance of playing?

“I weighed the pros and cons, but I knew I had to make a decision quickly. Given my situation and my complicated last months, when a historic club like FC Metz presents itself, with a great project to aim for the rise and to play 17 games, it’s sobering.”

Is this a real step forward, sporty?

“Some people may think otherwise, and I accept their opinion, but I also have my reasons. I don’t have a crystal ball. Who knows what would have happened if I had stayed at Standard?”

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Take us through the timeline of last week, probably the craziest week of your career?

“On Monday, I trained with Standard and, in the evening, my agent called me with a concrete interest from Metz. I needed to come there. To discuss in person, to discover the infrastructures. We took the road on Tuesday after training in Liège The speech and the feeling were good here. On the way back, we stopped at a restaurant and I made my decision. formalization fell on Thursday and, from Saturday, I played against Lorient (0-0). Too bad for Standard’s match against Kortrijk the day before, even if I was offered to sign later to play it. Metz needed me straight away.

It didn’t take long. After a trip to Lorient (leader), you challenge Paris FC (2nd) this Saturday. A great introduction…

“It’s better to start like that, without having time to think (smile). From the first days, I communicated a lot on the ground. It’s in my nature, and it made my integration easier.”

Do you arrive with a certain status or rather with things to prove?

“Oh, I’m humble and I’m joining a group that has already had some experience together. It’s up to me to adapt, to show what I’m capable of to help achieve the collective goal.”

How did you experience this very first transfer of your career, at 26 years old?

“I obviously discovered some elements but, in the end, it ended well. I concentrated on the sporting and medical aspects, leaving everything else to the competent people. I wanted one day or another to discover something else something that Standard. A new championship, other stadiums, other ambitions…”

You have signed a 6 month contract. Why is there no extension clause in the event of promotion to Ligue 1 or, on the contrary, release in the event of stagnation in L2?

“I’m not planning ahead, I’m focused on the field. But in reality, it was Metz who proposed 6 months, particularly in relation to the financial aspect. I know that the reduction in TV rights in France hurts a lot of clubs.”

Do you wish there was an option?

“I didn’t think about that from the moment I was told it was 6 months. We’ll see at the end of the season. (Editor’s note: sports director Frédéric Arpinon has already declared that, for his part, he had projections and that he was thinking of an extension in the event of a rise).”

Did you already want to leave Standard last summer?

“We all know the financial situation of the club and its need for liquidity. I was told that I was one of the people targeted to recover money. Then, I announced to the management that I was ambitious and that I wanted to take a step forward I am no longer in the national team but it remains a goal to return there That said, it would not have posed a problem for me to stay at Standard, my club, my city, the. time it took…”

Are you at fault in this whole saga?

“I don’t know if it’s a mistake, but where I have my share of responsibility is that I announced that it was perhaps the time for me to leave, given my ambition. This sentence backfired on me and became: “We’re no longer counting on you because you want to leave.”

Do you think your case was handled well by management? Do you regret his attitude during the negotiations?

“I don’t know (Editor’s note: he is taking a break). Pierre Locht (CEO) you Fergal Harkin (sports director) have their opinion but they know the truth. It’s the football system… Today, the only priority at Standard concerns the financial aspect.”

Several mandated agents, impatience and betrayal, the management in question: the underside of the Bodart file from the Standard

Last summer, AS Roma showed up…

“The offer came very early. It was very concrete but very low, so at first, I can understand Standard’s refusal. They didn’t want to sell me out. I only looked at the sporting side, and I wanted to go. What’s a shame is that the club finally accepted in January what they had refused in the summer… However, I told them that what they demanded would never happen. accepted. And that’s what happened.”

Was there also a strange set-up on the Union side?

“At first I wasn’t interested because I had the offer from Roma. Then the financier stuck. I think the Union didn’t want to put in enough money, and then Anthony Moris , with whom I spoke afterwards, did not intend to leave and I understand that.”

Did you understand your exclusion then?

“It was announced to me that the coach wanted to prepare everything with Matthieu Epolo. I know him very well and he is an excellent goalkeeper. Besides, we must not hide our faces, Standard was hoping to achieve a double blow: sell myself, put Matthieu in the window and accept the first good offer that comes along. It’s a reality I was given the example of Mike Penders, who Genk sold to Chelsea for 20 million euros, I believe. The management said. why not do the same with Matthieu? We’re in a football business, eh!”

Are you disappointed with the world of football?

“I was disappointed. It was a very negative moment but it allowed me to learn. A career is never linear and there is no point in lamenting your fate.”

As disappointing as the overall situation of Standard?

“You know, here in Metz, we don’t know the Standard players or its ranking well, but everyone has already spoken to me about Sclessin and its atmosphere. It is high time that the club regains its identity and what he was. I say it from the heart. What is happening there is monumentally sad. We heard lots of rumors but the management did not communicate anything to the locker room. possible playdowns at Standard, it’s unthinkable. The public has been drooling over it for months but remained exemplary despite some discontent last season.”

In your message Instagram, you’re talking about goodbye, not farewell. Do you aspire to return to Standard one day?

“You should never say never. I was born in Liège, it’s my city, I’ve known everything at Standard since I was little… If life doesn’t bring me back to the club as a player, it will be as a supporter (smile).”

Doesn’t the way you left upset you?

(Sighs). “No, because it’s football today. We can regret it but that’s how it is. I always prefer to keep the glass half full. The many magical moments I experienced at Standard will remain engraved forever. C “is more important than thinking that the goodbye should have gone this way or that.”

Are you a happy man and player again, even if you have to play in a pink jersey?

(Laughs). “I don’t really like color but, yes, I’m happy. You know, I’m a simple boy. I don’t need much to be so. I have my partner, my son and my family with me , that’s the main thing.”