Unsurprisingly, Christian Gourcuff will be the coach of Stade Rennais next season.The information was officially confirmed Tuesday in Ouest-France by René Ruello.On this occasion, we invite you to reread the portrait of the Breton technician that we had published in 2012.
The pleasure of the game
Son of teachers, Christian Gourcuff was born on April 5, 1955 in Hanvec, Finistère. He began his young footballer career at the Gâs d'Ys de Tréboul, a small neighborhood club in Douarnenez, but also excels in athletics where he is a promising half-distance runner. At that time, he favored studies. It is therefore natural that the young Christian Gourcuff arrived in Rennes in 1972, to continue his higher education there. He finally obtained his license there, before later becoming a teacher in mathematics. Quickly, the kid of Douarnenez is distinguished by an atypical character in the environment. Indeed, Christian Gourcuff is a Breton with a strong temperament. In the process, he gradually joined the youth teams at Stade Rennais. As a player, he thus won the Gambardella Cup in 1973 with the SRFC alongside Jean-Luc Arribart in particular, and is part of this beautiful generation who will see a Kyrielle of good professional players such as Pierrick Hiard, Jean-Paul Rabier and others .
Unfortunately, Christian Gourcuff did not first succeed in crossing the course of professionalism, and then continued his career at the amateur level. This is how he really explodes to the US Berned in D3, where he takes part in the fabulous and unrivaled epic of the small Morbihan club. At that time, the creative midfielder, formed in the abyss of Douarnenez, already evolves under the leadership of the late Jean Prouff, and later was inspired by his conceptions in terms of football. He then confirms the full extent of his potential under the colors of the EN AFTER of Guingamp, and this, the space of two seasons, between 1978 and 1980. In the Côtes-d'Armor, he distinguished himself as a player to the very excavated technique, and to the vision of the game above the average. Particularly elegant, its qualities of esthete do wonder about the green rectangle. Very clever in the conservation of the ball, he is one of the key men in the Christmas Le Graët formation.
Number ten "old -fashioned", all the balloons go through him.He is the hub of the Guingampais midfielder.With the Costarmorican team, he forges a reputation as a particularly technical player, who likes licked football and who excels in the game of short passes.Despite a lack of speed on the ground, he fills some of his shortcomings thanks to high class gestures.A true artist of modern times, his touch of the ball from outside the foot is a real treat for spectators of the Yves-Jaguin stadium.Elegant but dyed, he then tried two new adventures, first in Rouen in D1, then in La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland.After an ephemeral professional period outside his native Brittany, Christian Gourcuff joined FC Lorient in 1982, and made his first gallops to his future coach profession.
In Lorient, he obtained the full confidence of his new president.In the early 1980s, the FCL fell into DSR (regional upper division) and wanted to find a place in the sun.The president of the "Merlus", Georges Guénoum, will therefore have an idea of genius by bringing Christian Gourcuff coming.Under its thumb, FC Lorient regains ambitions and accesses the D3 at first, then in the second division at the evening of a great victory against Évreux (4-2).All, in the space of only four seasons (1982-1986).
Eight years after their last season in D2, the "Merlus" finally find the anteroom of the elite. Player coach Christian Gourcuff has already marked FC Lorient with his imprint, thanks to a completely inventive and neat style. In Morbihan, Christian Gourcuff has carte blanche to advocate his ideas in terms of play, those inherited from his mentor Jean Prouff, but especially of the legendary Nantes school of José Arribas. Take pleasure in the field, accumulate short passes to accelerate the game into deviations, develop passes on the wings, evolve in perpetual moving, and above all playing offensive football are the leitmotif of this original Douarnenist. FCL has become its "laboratory". But the supporters of the "Merlus" do not complain, quite the contrary. Under his thumb, the FCL therefore found the D2 during the 1985-1986 exercise, but did not succeed in a great season. The Morbihannais are again relegated to D3, despite the seven goals of his "Lutin" Willem Letemahulu.
- FC Lorient, saison 1983-1984
An outstanding builder
Following this failure, Christian Gourcuff takes over the Le Mans, a club which he immediately goes back to the second division.Unfortunately, his agreement with the management team is not good, so that he decides to try an exotic adventure in Montreal, before finally returning to his native region, in Pont-l'Abbé, then againLorient in 1991. At that time, the Morbihan club was still distinguished by a sempteric "Yo-yo" between D2 and D3.But Christian Gourcuff will then enter the scene, and change the face of the history of FC Lorient.The Breton technician therefore takes up the reins of FCL at the edge of the 1991-1992 fiscal year, while the club vegetates in the third division.Discreet, reasonable and modest, the man has not changed his shoulder rifle and always advocates the beautiful game. The only alternative towards success, according to him.
Success will simply be incredible. In 1997, on the evening of a success against Lille (2-0), Lorient was propelled at the top of the D2. A historical first for the "Merlus". And logically, after a beautiful 1997-1998 championship, Lorient obtains the consecration of an accession to the first division, for the very first time in its long history. With players like Stéphane Pédron, Christophe Le Grix, Robert Malm and Djima Oyawolé in particular, Christian Gourcuff created as enchantment a real alchemy within his collective, fulfilling his ultimate dream: to combine the beautiful game with results. The FCL dazzles for twelve months of second division football, delighting spectators both at home and outside. Little Merlu has undertaken to eat all the big fish from the jar and succeeds wonderfully. And Lorient finally won the moon against Wasquehal, thanks to an Ali Bouafia realization (1-0). The Morbihannais thus become vice-champions of France of D2 behind AS Nancy-Lorraine.
Christian Gourcuff is ready to die for his football ideas, and it paid. By dint of patience and perseverance, the Breton technician reached his zenith by succeeding in the incredible bet to raise the FCL in D1. Through this historical accession, he made his convictions triumph. Always with heart, sometimes against all odds, he has accomplished a real tour de force. Thanks to the advice of the technician, some players even reach their fullness on the field. Like Stéphane Pédron for example, who after a last year galley in Laval, has made the best season of his career. It must be said that Christian Gourcuff is completely involved, and with humanism in the life of the club. Finally, he owes his brand new recognition to the strong values of the game, and to his permanent quest for ideal that he has intelligently adapted to the requirements of modern football. After so many galleys and sacrifices, the native of Hanvec touched the Grail, and it is only justice. But the party was partially spoiled on the evening of the climb: "When in 1982 I took the club in DH to lead it for the first time in D2 three years later, the party had been fabulous, in the stadium as outside . I was then coach-player. The sensations were too strong. There, against Wasquehal, we go up in D1 under the whistles. The players were taken aback by the reaction of the Lorient public before opening the scoring, "he explains. Regardless, the "Merlus" coach offers himself the title of best D2 coach. A prize awarded to him by France Football magazine.
Mieux, le panache de la formidable formation de Christian Gourcuff est désormais reconnu par la France entière du football. Et pourtant, malgré la montée en D1, le technicien morbihannais hésite un moment avant de continuer l’expérience avec le FCL. En effet, il veut des engagements de la part du club et de la mairie de Lorient, pour améliorer des infrastructures indignes d’un club de l’élite. Les enjeux sont alors cruciaux et les supporters l’ont bien compris. « Christian à Lorient, Christian à Lorient » est ainsi repris par tout le stade lors de la réception de Laval (40ejournée), suite à la distribution d’un petit billet à l’entrée du Moustoir indiquant : « Ne laissons pas partir notre entraîneur avec les Parisiens. Réservez-lui un accueil en scandant Christian à Lorient, au début du match, à la mi-temps et à la fin du match ».
Even if FC Lorient has become a model for many small teams with limited budgets.In a sanitized world and dominated by money, human adventure still has its place, as long as it is based on values such as intelligence, talent and ambition.Team spirit, desire, game, hard work, it is with these ingredients that Christian Gourcuff brought the most beautiful of mayonnaises.It was also he who brought the added value to the whole.His ideas earn more than yesterday.The twenty-seven-year-old young man he was in his early days "I structured my ideas," said this work monster.
Far from the image of a sweet dreamer who stuck to him for a long time, he knew how to add the work to an intelligence far above the average.With the very active complicity of President Le Gallo and the sports director Nello Sbaïz, he made a perfect recruitment to support the former players of his team, such as Schuth, Kerhuiel, Ripoll and Le Bert in particular.With the arrivals of pedron, the Grix and Bouafia, Christian Gourcuff had a hollow nose.Indeed, each in their register, these three players were unparalleled in D2.It is therefore finished the time when certain Manichean minds criticized the Lorient coach of favoring the game at the expense of the result.
Christian Gourcuff has a certain conception of football.It must be offensive, creative and spectacular.The Breton coach does not share the idea of the result at all costs.He advocates the basics of a moving game, where the team moves like one man, attacks and defends hand in hand.A system where everyone covers each other, which is the basis of solidarity.In addition, he is always focused on his goals, and remains whatever happens, always faithful to his line of conduct.What's more, he always makes his collective pass above all.Christian Gourcuff is a visionary, a kind of precursor, attached to strong ideas and spectacle.
Throughout the year, the luxury restaurant stamped FCL served caviar.This incredible collective master's degree in FCL propels this 1997-1998 collection in the beautiful history book of the city.For his beginnings among the elite, Christian Gourcuff does not sacrifice the way in favor of results and remains faithful to his convictions: "The game will be our salvation board.We must be performing in the collective game ”.Unfortunately, the FCL will not be able to maintain itself.Lorient is back in D2, but for a short time, since the club will go back in D1 two seasons later.But the Breton technician fought the lusts.
- FCL, exercice 1984-1985
A bitter Rennes experience
Indeed, after having obtained national recognition, Christian Gourcuff now attracts the gaze of Rennes leaders. In 2001, he was thus recruited by the club of the Breton capital, and has the mission of creating a game identity at Stade Rennais. The SRFC clearly wishes to reproduce what has made the strength of the big Nantes neighbor for many years. The Breton technician confides in his arrival: "For me, the most difficult was to cut with Lorient. I spent ten years there. I had landmarks there. My ability to adapt here will be interesting in my eyes, my desire to progress too. " But the experience will run short. For his first championship meeting at the head of the SRFC, Djibril Cissé author of a quadruple, and the Auxerrois players come to throw a huge cold at the Lorient road stadium. Rennes bows heavily on the score of five goals to zero. The last as severe defeat of Stade Rennais on his lawn dates back to the 1946-1947 season, through a beating received against Strasbourg (1-6). The baptism of Christian Gourcuff's fire is therefore more than difficult.
That season, Rennes was also in the race in the late Intertototo Cup.But the Breton club is finally beaten by the English team of Aston Villa of a certain David Ginola, on all of the two games.2-1 on the outward journey, then 1-0 defeat on return to Villa Park.Figuring criticism, the Breton technician does not disarm.Perfectionist, Christian Gourcuff knows that he has laid the foundations for an interesting project.And little by little, Breton players will start to understand the requirements of its system and the efforts to be provided to respect the instructions.For the new Rennais coach, the positive emulation of the collective is the sine qua non condition to achieve the objectives and obtain the desired success.
In this sense, certain elements are thus revealed during the season.After a last spoiled season, Yoann Bigné Ravies and confirms all his potential.He composes the team's backbone with Lamine Diatta behind, and Olivier Monterrubio in front.Around this main axis, the other players put themselves in tune, and especially during a great victory against AS Monaco, on the score of three goals to zero (tripled with Monterrubio).Cyril Yapi also confirms his qualities, and the Brazilian Vander is precious by his regularity.Throughout the season, Christian Gourcuff also launches several young shoots in the deep end, including the Paimpolais Étienne Didot.
But mayonnaise really doesn't want to take.Despite a good home journey, Rennes fishs especially outside.Worse, Christian Gourcuff's team is eliminated by ... FC Lorient during the semi-finals of the League Cup, on a goal from a former stadist player, Guyana Jean-Claude Darcheville (0-1).From then on, the group crumbles, and the Breton technician is not in the smell of holiness with its leaders either.The ship flows afloat.The SRFC even sees the spectrum of relegation getting closer irreparably.
This is how during the season, and to avoid a possible sinking in D2, Christian Gourcuff swaps his usual 4-4-2 to arrange him in 4-1-4-1.Fortunately, Stade Rennais finally renews its lease in D1, for the ninth consecutive year.Eric Durand's partners are completing a very long and without much interest exercise by managing to beat Sedan (1-0, goal of Monterrubio) on the smallest of the margins, during the penultimate day of the 2001-2002 championship.But given the ambitions displayed in the medium term by the Stadist club, the Rennes leaders will quickly draw the conclusions of this half failure.They quickly want to find a positive spiral.From then on, the first fuse is quickly found, it will be Christian Gourcuff.The Breton technician finally pays the broken pots, and probably undergoes the return of the cranks of his positions vis-à-vis certain stadist leaders.
Disappointed by the turn of events, he engages: “Choices have been made.I was asked to come to Rennes for specific reasons and in particular the implementation of a game project. I tried to do so.It was probably a little longer than expected, but we started to see the beginnings, like our last victory in Auxerre (3-2).Afterwards, there are decision -makers who decide.I never deviated from my options.We are always a little bitter in the face of such situations, but that is part of the profession "and adds:" I have never had a problem with anyone, neither with the players, nor with the leaders "."But I didn't take a step back," he said.Meanwhile, Lorient steals the star at Stade Rennais and won the Coupe de France, which all of Brittany has been waiting since 1971.
The SRFC then decides to change everything and recruits Philippe Bergeroo.This is the end of the short story between Stade Rennais and Christian Gourcuff.The Finistère technician has kept, since this failure, a certain animosity against the club of the Breton capital.The episode which took place a few years later, when his son Yoann was left, testified if necessary.He will finally return a few months later to his stadistic parenthesis: "I have always approached my work from a technical point of view.However, there was a political dimension to which I did not attach myself.I did not pay attention to communication: I want to talk about manipulation here.Doing like others would have been profitable for me, but I don't work like this: I am not a manipulator. "
In the absence of quick results, and rejected by several players from his workforce, Christian Gourcuff was dismissed in May 2002. Stéphane Grégoire said: "With Christian Gourcuff, it did not necessarily go well. As soon as he took office, he was told that I had openly defended Paul Le Guen, because I had found it a shame to oust him a few months earlier. Christian Gourcuff therefore arrived with some a priori on me. He clearly told me that I would not be part of the team's plans. I accepted, telling him that I will train seriously. I came back into play because some players had campaigned for my return to the group. Behind, I was lucky that the results come back, it helped me to stay in the team. Otherwise, apart from communication, I have evolved a lot with Christian Gourcuff, especially in the technical aspect. He has qualities and faults, but, on the other hand, we cannot blame him for much on his work. In his own way, it was a coach who marked me during my career. "
After a short interlude in Qatar, he returned to Morbihan in 2003, to continue to advance "his" club. Back in Lorient, he still feeds on the same fierce ambition, that of bringing up the "Merlus" in Ligue 1. A mission he carries out with the way, as usual, in 2006 - after the 1998 accessions and 2001. In the process, FC Lorient is maintained for the first time in its history in Ligue 1. Since then, with the arrival of Loïc Féry at the controlled club. brand new training center. The Gourcuff method is apparently simple. Relaunch players to certain, but poorly exploited potential. In recent years, the examples have been legion: "Baky" Koné, Christophe Jallet, André-Pierre Gignac, Laurent Koscielny, Michaël Ciani and Kévin Gameiro in particular. Under his guidance, the latter regain the hair of the beast and allow the FCL to tickle the greats of the championship. This year again, the "Merlus" went very close to the feat, eliminated only in the semi-finals of the League Cup by Olympique Lyonnais. The story continues, even if the game "à la Lorientaise" turns out to be a myth for some, and an absolute for others.
- Stade rennais, saison 2001-2002
Joueur :
Gas d’Ys Tréboul (1966-1972)
Stade rennais FC (1972-1974)
US Berné (1974-1978)
En Avant de Guingamp (1978-1980)
FC Rouen (1980-1981)
FC La Chaux-de-Fonds (Suisse, 1981-1982)
FC Lorient (1982-1986)
Le Mans UC (1986-1989)
Supra Montréal (Canada, 1989)
US Pont-l’Abbé (1989-1991)
Entraîneur :
FC Lorient (1991-2001)
Stade rennais FC (juin 2001 - mai 2002)
Al Ittihad Doha (Qatar, 2002-2003)
FC Lorient (juin 2003 - mai 2014)
Sélectionneur de l’Algérie (juillet 2014 - avril 2016)
Sources :
- Archives Le Télégramme et France Football
- forum footnostalgie
- « La grande histoire du football en Bretagne » par Georges Cadiou
- Wikipedia
Sources photos :
- forum footnostalgie
- www.fclorient.net
- srfc.frenchwill.fr
- XIIIfromTOKYO / Wikimedia Commons
