On the objectives for the 2021-2022 season
“The mission was successful”. These are the words of President Vincent Férey to sum up an already exceptional season. “The goal was to finish in the top 6 of the championship and qualify for the play-offs”recalls the leader. With a historic 2nd place, the Mauves have largely fulfilled the contract. And beyond the sporting aspect, the season has been positive behind the scenes. “The structuring continued with the obtaining of the Bronze Label of the National Handball League, which is recognition of our ability to go to the highest level”adds Vincent Férey. The academy, a must for clubs aspiring to the Starleague, is in the nails. “Benoît Jambry, from Cesson-Sevigné will take over the management next season with eight players under agreement for the time being”specifies the sporting director Stéphane Groult.
Ambitions in terms of budget
For a team that plays the climb it’s always difficult to plan its budget. “We play on both sides”explains Vincent Ferey. “You have to imagine the climb, but also that you stay at the same level”. Thus, if the club remains in proliga, the budget should not change, at least in terms of payroll (880,000 euros). “It would be one of the most important in the pro league”, emphasizes Stéphane Groult. On the other hand, if there is a rise in the star league, “we will try to have the biggest possible budget, but we will not take any risks”, insists the president. Understand that the club will only spend what it has. And for the moment, difficult to know what it will represent as a budget increase (1.9 million euros today). “We are in discussion with the communities (department region, agglomeration, city), which will make an additional effort, but the private partners must follow the movement”continues Vincent Ferey. “They have to understand the interest of being part of an adventure that gives a good image of the territory”. As for the question of possible salary increases for the players. For the moment the club is talking about a significant bonus in the event of accession to the star league.
On the future of coach Frédéric Bougeant
“We received him in the steering committee and he told us that there was no problem between him and management and that his recent remarks had been misinterpreted”. (Editor’s note: on several occasions in recent weeks, Frédéric Bougeant has spoken publicly, seeming to regret the club’s lack of ambition and anticipation). “We told him again of the budgetary constraints that are ours. _He is still under contract for two years and therefore on our side, he remains our coach whether in star league or pro league._“ says Vincent Férey. And Stéphane Groult to add, “Frédéric Bougeant, in tandem with José-Luis Villanueva, did an excellent job. The club allowed him to come into the men’s handball and he demonstrated all his skills with two seasons concluded by play-offs. He enriched his CV If that pushes him to look elsewhere, we will part with mutual thanks but for the moment, he is in contract with Cherbourg”.
On a possible star league season
“It will be very complicated. It’s always very complicated for the teams that are going up”warns Stéphane Groult. “We will be a team that goes up in the star league, but not a star league team. To be one, you have to be able to maintain yourself, to stabilize at this level. It will be very hard but if we come back down, it won’t matter. It’s part of the long-term project“, concludes the sporting director.
The JS Cherbourg play-offs will be on France Bleu Cotentin, Saturday June 4 from 5:30 p.m., and in the event of the final, Sunday June 5, at 3 p.m.