Clément Pédron, Media365, published on Monday January 6, 2025 at 11:43 p.m.
The day after the slap received by Le Havre at the Orange Vélodrome against Olympique de Marseille (5-1), Jean-Michel Roussier, the president of the HAC, deplored the performance of his players. He also keeps Didier Digard in post.
“We feel that with the slightest blow we take, we don't have the mentality. The series of defeats weighs on the mind, for some, the level is too high.” These are the words of Didier Digard, the Le Havre coach after the debacle against Olympique de Marseille at the Orange Vélodrome at the end of the 16th day of Ligue 1 (5-1). These harsh words have been spoken by the leader of the HAC since July 1 in place of Luka Elsner. But more than the coach, it was the club president, Jean-Michel Roussier, who made the walls of the locker room shake after the match against OM. According to information from the Team, the manager was “stunned” declaring that it was a shameful performance “compared to the 300 supporters who made the trip” deploring a “lack of courage and combativeness”.
The problem is that Le Havre is in the penultimate place in the championship, three points behind FC Nantes, the play-off and three ahead of Montpellier, the red lantern. Above all, the HAC seems to have returned to the same negative spiral as last October. At that time, Didier Digard's team had compiled six defeats in a row in the league. Today, counting the Coupe de France and this regrettable elimination against Stade Briochin (N2), we are already at five in all competitions.
In place but until when?
Despite this bad sequence, Jean-Michel Roussier has no plans to dismiss his coach. Above all, he notices that the problem is recurring in his club. “Last year, we started not showing anything at all from January onwards,” observes the president, still for the Team. And the coach was Luka. The problem is the same. I agree with Didier, it’s a reality. » As a result, the former Nice technician, whistled by his own supporters, remains the man for the job. “I don’t set short-term objectives, there is no ultimatum,” insists the manager. I don't work like that. And to die, I die with my ideas. » For him, the solution “can only come from the players themselves” and if the situation is “very complicated”, it is “in no way desperate” as the person concerned indicates to the Team. The Ciel et Marine are nevertheless encouraged to win against Lens, Reims, Brest and Angers, their next opponents on the calendar.
