If the departure of leader Ludovic Beyhurst had been in the pipeline for several months, it only materialized this week. After about 2 years in Limousin, the one who made his range in Strasbourg before joining Limoges CSP took over the management of Nancy in Pro B. The sports director of Limoges Crawford Palmer explains the reason for this separation and its consequences in terms of recruitment.
What brought the club and the player to this amicable separation?
To be honest, it’s something we started earlier in the season. Massimo Cancellieri didn’t count much on Ludo. It was interesting for everyone to find a solution. His agent had been looking for an opportunity for several months. He considered this offer from Nancy interesting for him. So we released him so he could finish the season with an ambitious Pro B club.
In his attitudes towards the staff or his teammates, he was impeccable
Despite his playing time and fewer responsibilities, his attitude was impeccable…
Yes, that’s why it didn’t particularly bother me that he stayed. He was pro from start to finish. There were small moments of doubt but which he overcame. His initial reaction was to prove that he really deserved his place. He did everything for it. Nothing to say on that side. We still have our good series of victories with him. In particular, he had a good match at ASVEL. Whether in training, in the life of the group, in his attitudes towards the staff or his teammates, he was impeccable. At the same time, I think he wanted to play and do more. It was in the interests of both parties that he find something else.
If we can make a leap in quality and the budget allows it, we will not hesitate
Between the injury of Gerry Blakes and the departure of Ludovic Beyhurst, you must have an interesting envelope. If it is dedicated to sports, what kind of player are you looking for now?
At the start, after Gerry’s injury, we thought we could open up the prospects a bit for replacing him by finding the best player possible to join the squad. It doesn’t matter position 1, 2 or 3. With the departure of Ludo, having a point guard or a combo, position 1/2 or 2/1, to strengthen this sector, is more interesting for us. We are not the only ones looking for this profile, whether in France or in Europe. Especially Bosman or Cotonou. The market is quite tight. If we can really add quality and we have some guarantees on the person who comes and we think it fits, we will look. If we can make a leap in quality and the budget allows it, we will not hesitate. But it will depend on the market and the opportunities that arise. We are free in recruitment until February 28th. After that, it will only be by medical freelancer knowing that we have a maximum of two months after an injury to sign one (unavailability of Blakes announced on January 11).