After a month and a half of stoppage, it’s the recovery for Montpellier Handball, successful in the Champions League, left behind in the championship, it’s time to set the record straight. Interview with President Julien Deljarry.
We are starting a new year but not a new season. The counters are not reset. Do the ambitions suddenly change?
Ambitions change …. Yes and no. In philosophy, we remain very ambitious with the desire to seek a European place, with the desire to seek a title which is still possible in the Coupe de France and even in the Champions League. Why not? But obviously we can’t reset, but on the other hand, we can bring about change. It will not be a change of men, but it will be a change of method. In any case, that’s what I hope to boost a good, positive dynamic in the club’s sports results.
It’s important what you say. No change of men because inevitably, when a club does not have the results that we hoped that we expected, sometimes questions of change of men arise. This is not the case in Montpellier.
This is not the case in Montpellier. Because for the moment, we are looking for stability. Because in addition, when behind, we are first in the Champions League, when we are not far from winning a semi-final in the Coupe de la Ligue against Nantes, all these things allow us to nurture positive ambitions. That’s for sure. Now, we still need change because besides that, there are very bad results in the league and the League Cup, despite everything that we lost.
All of these findings mean that change is needed.
But it’s like you’re talking to me about the players. If today you tell me that players need to change, I will tell you: yes, in the league, but not in the Champions League. They are first and no one is doing better than us in Europe. Change is needed, but surely in the attitude and in the capacity and the way of working more than in the men. ,
What do you expect from the team for the end of the season, at least?
At least, it’s to grab a European place for next year, so at least, fifth place….
Today, we are no longer talking about the Champions League for next year?
It’s difficult on day D.. that is to say that we are far too far but if in six months, in four months, we find ourselves three to four points from Nantes or two points from Nantes at four days of the end. Yes, I will tell you about it, but you still have to remain lucid. You have to stay humble. We are ninth. Today, we are 3 points from 4th place. This is what is tangible and what is possible today. Obviously, we are going to work to grab these places little by little and the minimum of the minimum, it would be to have a European cup for next year. And still make a very, very good figure in the Coupe de France too.
What’s this? Is it a question of image, of status?
It’s a question if you want to life together. That is to say that for years, we have been used with our supporters, with our volunteers, with our partners, all our shareholders to live at European level. So that is something I would never want to take away. For me, this is a goal that is unshakeable. One cannot not be European. It would be professional misconduct. And there, on the other hand, yes, that would require a real upheaval. We can’t say that we welcome internationals here and playing for ninth place in the championship doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. Whether for the players, for the staff and even for us. So today, it’s about rolling up our sleeves and going for victories to show that our ambitions are achievable.
The championship resumes this weekend. Somewhere, the Euro interlude allowed the Omicron wave to pass. You will be able to welcome the public, without a gauge.
Yes, yes, I had a concern. Because at the beginning, when it was announced without a gauge the next day, there was a meeting at the Ministry of Sports which said that there would be social distancing. For me, social distancing is a gauge. So, the next day, I had the chance to meet Gabriel Attal who, whom I was able to challenge on this subject, who told me no that there would be no gauge. In the afternoon, we received an email that there would be no social distancing. So, we all find ourselves together with a vaccination pass, with the mask, with the conditions that allow us to be safe, but above all to share because that’s what we want, need today. And that’s what’s important.
So, like any supporter of the France team, you are disappointed to see the Blues finish at the foot of the podium in 4th place.-the chocolate medal -.You were in the semi-final in Budapest, how did it? you lived?
It’s mixed though. Because yes, I’m French, my heart is French and frankly, it’s the medal in chocolate and chocolate is a bit bitter, as they say. But still, we must salute the performance of the France team, a group under construction and many changes in recent years. They were able to show character at times. We vibrated with them, especially in the qualifying match for the semi-final against Denmark. We cannot remove everything, which has been done. Great performances have been achieved. So honestly, I can say Bravo!
When I have my players performing well, I’m happy for them.
Now, I’m still happy because we don’t just have the chocolate medal in Montpellier, we have the gold medal because we have two young Swedish players Lucas Pellas and Karl Wallinius who went for this medal. ‘gold. And today, I am very proud for them, very proud, already to have these players in our squad. Unfortunately Karl and Lucas had a great match against the France team, which meant that they went to the final. But fortunately, they went all the way, which could somewhat alleviate this disappointment for our Blues and above all to tell ourselves that here in Montpellier, we also have the gold medal. I would even say that in the semi-final between France and Sweden ….. I shouldn’t say it, but there are still times or on goals from Karl, I got up … Today today, yes, I am French, my heart is French, but today my club is more important than the rest. And when I have my players who perform well, I’m happy for them and I’ll always be happy for my players above all.
What are you going to say to the players, when the team is complete, what message?
Already, I will first give way to the staff since they are the ones who manage the group and they are the ones who move forward with the group. And that is important. Each in his place, but of course, I will talk to them. The important thing is to make people understand that things have to move forward, but without putting pressure on themselves. We know how to play handball, we have high quality players. Now, we need involvement in each game and if we are involved in each game, we can get performance game after game. The pleasure comes with the result.