The rise of AJ Auxerre in Ligue 1 football is a moment “historical”according to club director Baptiste Malherbe. “It was really the moment when it had to be done, for economic reasons in particular”, affirmed the director of the club on France Bleu Auxerre, this Monday, the day after the victory against Saint-Étienne for the last play-off match. The interview is Listen in full here.
Did you sleep that night?
A little bit anyway! By necessity, because the night before was short too, with stress. And there was happiness. So little night, but for a good cause. It was a great moment, historic, no doubt.
How did you experience this match?
A lot of fun, because the team played the football we love, apart from the first ten minutes when we got caught by the green tide. But we reacted well. And the team was like the club, very hardworking, very united, with a superb state of mind. So it’s fun. Afterwards there was the frustration of the equalizer, because we thought we were not far from the Grail, once again, after the championship already. And then this penalty shootout, it was crazy. Five perfect shots, the joy of our supporters in the turn, even if we didn’t take advantage of it much because of the Saint-Etienne supporters. But great joy and a thought to all those who contributed to this success.
This return to Ligue 1 after 10 years of Ligue 2, is it a relief?
It hurts my heart when you say “10 years in Ligue 2 etc.” Because for a city like Auxerre, it’s already hard to be in Ligue 2. People don’t realize it. With Auxerre, we were used to exceptions. But already being in Ligue 2, for our city, is good, even if we all hope for better. There we are, so it’s a great joy, it’s a feat, I don’t know if everyone realizes it. A city of 35,000 inhabitants in the League, compared to the economic stake which has taken over many things. This is exceptional.
How did this climb come about?
Since May/June, there has been incredible work, determination: we were on a mission. I have often said that if we manage to create enthusiasm around this club, strong solidarity, beyond the club, we will manage to knock down mountains. It’s often that, small Gallic villages need a magic potion. And our supporters have given it to us in the last matches, but also inside the club since June. There has been incredible work. Everyone did what he had to do, in his part. No one hindered the work of the trainer, the manager, everyone knew what had to be done. The road has been difficult, because we had an extraordinary season, but we added three matches for fun. It was a lot of work, we were all determined, united, and it’s great to get there.
But next year there will be four descents in Ligue 2
It’s another competition, we’re going to start from scratch. There will be four relegated, so we will hang on, but if we keep this enthusiasm around the club, if we can take the entry points, next year because the public will be like the last matches, in fusion. I think we will do something big.
Will there be any investment from James Zhou, the owner?
Yes of course ! James has been doing it since 2016, the smart way. He made us become a solid club again with great facilities, infrastructure, a clear policy. He gave me three axes at the start of the year: to be as efficient as possible on the pro team, to relaunch this training and integrate it into our project, and to develop internationally. And we respond to this policy. We can count on his support in Ligue 1.
Are we talking about tens of millions of euros of investment?
The economic effect for the club is undeniable, it’s a great thing. It was the momentum, even if I didn’t really want to tell myself because it added pressure to me. But it was really the moment when it had to be done, for economic reasons in particular. And I hope that will continue to bring the club up to standard. We will have to continue to work well, not to lose our heads.
Will Jean-Marc Furlan, who was at the end of his contract this summer and who had a year’s extension in the event of a rise, be the coach next year?
It was the deal with Jean-Marc all season (…). He is an excellent technician, he made this team progress in the game, the players took great pleasure with him. Much of the credit goes to him. Bringing the club back to Ligue 1 was his mission in three years, that’s what he did. Congratulations Jean-Marc. So we should build with him.