Par
Thibault Houlette
Published on
Nov. 26, 2024 at 12:33 p.m.
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President of the Normandy League for two decades, Pierre Leresteux hands over the keys to his successor, Romain Féret, this week. Now aged 80, he looks back on his twenty years spent at the head of Norman football.
In brief
Born in Colombiers-sur-Seulles (Calvados) on July 16, 1944, Pierre Leresteux was a player at US Normande, Argentan and Saint-Lô, where he hung up his crampons before embarking on a coaching career at the start. of the 70s at Canisy first then at FC Saint-Lô before landing at Avranches from 1980 to 1986. He then put on a new cap, that of president of FC Saint-Lô where he remained for four seasons. Then, in 1996, he took charge of the Manche District before being appointed head of the Lower Normandy League in 2004, then of the Normandy League at the time of the merger at the beginning of 2017. .
What state of mind are you in when you hang up?
I feel very good. I had already said during my re-election that this would be my last term, so I had time to prepare.
You were still moved when leaving…
Yes, during the general assembly I was given a few surprises with little words from the president of the FFF Philippe Diallo, the former coach of the hopes Thierry Henry, Pierre Mankowski and even Carlo Molinari. It warms the heart.
“The merger, a success”
What assessment do you draw from these twenty years spent at the head of Norman football?
It was something heavy to manage with fifty employees and a budget of 6 million euros, a real company, but I think I can look at myself in the mirror. The results are positive with the installation of the headquarters in the heart of Normandy, in Lisieux, the establishment of the hopes center, the development of women's football, futsal with the Hérouville locomotive. We also trained a lot. I have also not forgotten the merger between the Lower Normandy and Upper Normandy leagues which was a success. And then it all ended well with the silver medal at the Olympic Games this summer (Editor’s note: he was head of delegation with the French men’s team).
What are you most proud of?
For knowing how to listen to the clubs, for having been present alongside them. This is what they are asking for and we know their difficulties. In good memories, there was also the organization of the U19 European Championship in 2010 with more than 100,000 spectators throughout Lower Normandy. A great moment with players like Griezmann or Lacazette in the team.
“I’m going to rest!” »
Looking back, are there things you have regrets about?
Yes, for example, I failed to simplify the arbitration regulations. I would also like to help rural clubs even more for whom it is becoming very difficult to exist. However, they are essential not only in terms of football but also for the life of a village.
What will your days look like from now on?
I'm going to rest! Even if my mission is not quite finished since I will still be head of the Espoirs delegation during the European Championship in June (NDLR: from 11 to 28 in Slovakia), which will keep me busy.
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