Claude Michy believes on franceinfo that the now former coach of the France women’s football team is a “victim”.
Corinne Deacon, dismissed from office on Thursday March 9 by the French Football Federation, is no longer the coach of Les Bleues. For Claude Michy, the former manager of the Clermont Foot club who had recruited her to train the men’s team, “all this is very well organized by Jean-Michel Aulas”, the current president of Olympique Lyonnais. Close to Corinne Deacon, Claude Michy estimates on franceinfo that she is a “victim” in that case.
franceinfo: Do you recognize Corinne Deacon, whom you trusted, in the criticisms she has been the subject of in recent months?
Claude Michy: I think the reviews come from a lot of people who don’t know her. That’s the first point. We are a bit in a mode of media lynching, since she was not the only one in this area. And then, it’s a bit lamentable not to respect people for their work and their professionalism. All of this is very well organized by Jean-Michel Aulas, whom I have known for a very long time, for whom I have a lot of respect, who is a great football man, but who never liked Corinne Deacon. He had asked her to come to Olympique Lyonnais for his women’s team, when she was at Clermont Foot, and she did not respond. He never hooked up with her.
“He’s a real strategist, Jean-Michel Aulas.”
Claude Michy, former president of Clermont Footon franceinfo
For you, it is he who is behind all this only?
Of course. It often starts from the general interest to arrive at particular interests. We must also respect the choices of football leaders. But at some point, I find that the human notion of the subject has been forgotten. She doesn’t deserve the way she was treated, because she’s a great professional. He’s someone I know well, someone pleasant. He is criticized for his communication.
“Do we ask him to be a good communicator or to be a good coach? The subject is there.”
Claude Michy, former president of Clermont Footon franceinfo
But could she maintain herself, when the link was broken with the players?
It was all pretty well organized and she fell victim to that thing. When a player from a club speaks and she is from Olympique Lyonnais [Wendie Renard], this is no coincidence. I have a lot of respect for the players too, because they do their job, maybe they didn’t do it every day properly, maybe the coach didn’t either. But from the moment when there is a vindictiveness which sets in, it is difficult for the leaders, in the delicate situation of the French Football Federation, to take a decision contrary to the vox populi.
For you, Corinne Deacon has no fault in this case?
I think she did her job well. She is a true professional, who has worked a lot since she was young. She is someone who worked in the factory, who made herself, who grew up, who came to us when she was criticized at the start of her mandate. There are players who did not accept being coached by a woman. These players left and I kept Corinne Deacon because I thought it was her who was on the right track. She maintained the club, she made it grow, she brought in Pascal Gastien who is now the club’s coach. He was the director of the training center and he too is extremely shocked at the way Corinne Deacon was treated. So maybe I’m excessive, but I’m so disappointed to see the behavior of an environment that I know, since I spent a few years inside.
“At some point, you also have to respect people for what they’ve done.”
Claude Michy, former president of Clermont Footon franceinfo
Were you able to talk to her about it? Corinne Deacon is as disappointed and angry as you?
I talk to her very often. When someone gives all their time to ensure that their team succeeds, to wear the colors of France at the highest level, and that overnight, they say: “Well, see you soon, goodbye”… You imagine the shock! It is part of life and part of commitment. She will need to digest this bad news, but she will bounce back.