This Saturday, May 28, last game of the season for the Herbiers footballers. Ninth in their National 2 group, the 4th division, they welcome Chamalières, the 13th. The season was complicated for the Vendeans and this last match will mark the departure of two personalities to whom the club owes a lot. End of the adventure for coach Stéphane Masala but also for president Michel Landreau. The announcements date back to last month. The two were at the helm in 2018 during the epic Coupe de France. The Rouge et Noir, who were then playing in the 3rd division, had reached the final. 2-0 defeat against PSG.
“The Coupe de France, an incredible adventure”, Stéphane Masala, future ex-trainer of the VHF
A few hours before directing his last match for the VHF, coach Stéphane Masala remembers: “a page turns. I did a year and a half as an assistant (note: arrived then with Frédéric Reculeau) then at the beginning of 2018 I became a coach. There is the Cup. It was an incredible adventure. In the beautiful pages of the club, this Coupe de France final, inevitably we will remember it. I only remember the positive. It allowed me to grow. Leaving the club, I am a better coach.
For now, his new base is not known, he says _”always be looking for a project.” _This is Laurent David, 51-year-old Breton, former professional footballer under the jerseys of Brest, Martigues, Mulhouse, Beauvais Amiens, who led the Stade Brestois reserve until 2021. who will succeed him.
A strong bond with supporters
Stéphane Masala expects a lot of emotions this Saturday evening, at the Herbiers stadium, the Massabielle stadium. Some supporters have started to give him gifts, confiding to him that they have also given some objects to some. “In advance, I thank them, because this season was more complicated in terms of results, but they have always been behind the staff, the team. It’s due to our common history, it’s strong.”
The last at Massabielle by Stéphane Masala will also be an opportunity for the public to celebrate another strong man of this Coupe de France adventure. President Michel Landreau, at the head of the club for 14 years, passes the torch to Dominique Vincendeau, 65 and member of the board. “I think we can both be proud of the job accomplished within the club”, concludes Stéphane Masala.