Mathilde Le Meur, coach of the U18s of Lannion FC: squared coach

Gambardella (5th round). Dinan-Léhon FC – Lannion FC, Saturday (3 pm) at Clos-Gastel

Already playful, she only saw herself with boys. “I almost quit Football at 15 when it was no longer possible to be with them. I wasn’t interested in playing with girls,” says Mathilde Le Meur (35), the employed educator at Lannion FC.

“I always preferred the male audience”

The midfielder ultimately had a good career, notably playing four seasons in D1 at Stade Briochin, alongside Eugénie Le Sommer. But when it came time to become an educator, her choice became obvious again. “Even though it went well when I relaunched the women’s section of Lannion FC, I always preferred the men’s audience.”

Question of character, first. The Finisterian by birth is the frank and direct type. “As a player, I knew the demands. I’m sticking to it. For me, an athlete of a certain level must necessarily be one,” confides the 2004 winner of the 16-year-old National Cup with Brittany.

From then on, the question of authority never arose, in truth. “I am lucky to work in a structured club. At Lannion FC, all youth teams play at regional level. The three sessions per week are accepted by everyone.” Hers are as she is. “I like when things are square,” slips the former resident of Vannes and Rennes Bréquigny sports studies.

“You still have to have character”

At the edge of the field, with the U17s and now the U18s, Mathilde Le Meur knows how to speak up, impose her ideas, correct placements. But, again, nothing could be more natural when listening to it. “I didn’t adapt my coaching to boys. I have always been myself. When I played, I was often captain, team leader.”

A concentrate of energy like his friend Anaïs Bounouard, coach of the national U17s of FC Lorient. “I’m 1.58 m tall, she’s even shorter than me, but she’s also a little bundle of nerves. You still have to have character,” smiles the mother of Titouan, 2 years old, and companion of David Dagorn, also an educator at LFC.

“I have never had any inappropriate remarks”

For the teenagers she trains, no debate either. “I have never had any inappropriate remarks,” insists the holder of the Football Coaching Certificate (BEF) since she was 20.

For the rest, Mathilde is a “good audience” when jokes are called upon. And in the locker room, the organization is well established. “It’s simple: when I have given the (team) composition and given my talk, they have ten minutes to change.”

Then comes the time for shared competition and adrenaline, as will be the case this Saturday at Clos-Gastel in Dinan-Léhon. “I have an interesting and strong group. Last year, the story ended in the 3rd round in Plouzané (3-3, 1-4 on the tabs). My worst coaching memory. “. This time, there is “a big match to play against a good opponent”. The winners will collect the jerseys, offered in the first federal round. “The boys are very concerned, they don’t cheat in training.” No wonder when your coach is just as surprised.

Her career as a player: Briec de l’Odet, FC Lorient (2004-2007), Stade Briochin (2007-2011), Lannion FC (2011-2013), US Saint-Malo (2013-2017), Lannion FC (2019- 2020). Employee educator of Lannion FC since 2019.