It took time. Negotiations for the extension of Matthieu Jalibert at UBB began last season, before being put on hold. The fly-half questioned the club's ambitions and the future of his career. Laurent Marti, the Girondin president, for his part, expected the French international to return to his best level. After a fanfare start to the season, discussions resumed at the beginning of October and focused on an offer with a format generally similar to the first which was submitted to the player at the end of last season (around 800,000 euros per year). The two parties eventually came to an agreement and the three-year extension, until 2028, with an optional year, was signed last week.
“A very good thing”
“Given the ambitions of the club and the game that is advocated by the staff, this is a very good thing,” underlines Laurent Marti. It was important for us, first to find the real Matthew, and then to be able to extend it. But it's also great for him to stay home with people who appreciate him. He didn't have an incredible choice either since UBB is now at the top of the table and the other clubs already have a 10”.
Throughout the discussions, the Marti/Jalibert relationship was often portrayed as “complicated”, like that of a father with his son. The president does not deny it. “The departure of Cameron Woki (2022) was not understood by Matthieu, he held it against me in a somewhat unfair way and he stepped out of his role. There was tension between us but that’s part of life.”
In the quest for a first title, Yannick Bru's UBB will therefore continue to rely on its talented opener. “Matthieu is one of those players who has experienced everything here and he is a leader,” says the manager. We are delighted that he is continuing here, it is important for us and for him. Even if it is sometimes painful, you don't win big wars with peacekeepers. Matthieu embodies the future of the club.” “When you lose your good players, it’s never a good sign for the future,” continues Laurent Marti. By retaining one of its key men, UBB shows that it remains ambitious.
