“A great challenge but from July 1”, the first words of David Degouy, new Usam coach

David Degouy (à droite) quittera le MHB à la fin de saison pour entraîner l'Usam. Jean-Michel Mart/Midi libre

The signing of Patrice Canayer's assistant at MHB as coach of Usam until 2026 was made official on Wednesday January 24. He talks about what awaits him from next season.

You are committed until 2026 with Usam. What dictated your choice ?

It was good timing. I had several proposals, just like number 1, I did things in order. I am very happy to have been at MHB for 5 and a half years. Patrice Canayer trusted me, like Remy Lévy and Serge Granger (the former presidents). The first discussions were with Montpellier. We had very good, very positive discussions with Julien Deljarry and Vincent Hugonnet, my current presidents. Unfortunately, we did not agree. I favored what seemed to me to be a coherent, dynamic, attractive sporting project. I had very good discussions with David Tebib. For sporting and family balance, Usam was the best project, with this notion of combat, of Parnassus, of integration of young people, these are things that speak to me.

It’is also a stronghold of French hand…

It’is a club with a history which, legitimately, can aim for the Top 5. It’is a club which has been able to progress, build itself and return to the top level to play Europe. It’s a very dynamic club in which I want to invest myself completely.

You will be a head coach for the first time, is this a milestone for you ?

I was number 1 in all the projects I worked on before becoming an assistant in Ivry. This will be my first high-level number 1 position. I approach it with a lot of serenity, I will have a competent staff who will remain in place, I will be well surrounded, with a competitive team and players that I have followed for a long time. It's part of my choices, when you choose a club you also choose people. It’s a set. I feel it really good.

"I could have worked with Erick Mathé"

Did you feel like it was the right time ?

I have never made a position as head coach the sine qua non condition for success in my career. I come from the training of young players. I went through the entire coaching journey, from youth employment to national team assistant, I experienced the French school championships, the World Championships with the ;rsquo;Argentina in Paris, the Champions League with the MHB…Was it the moment ? Destiny decided it this way and I am very happy about it. Clubs did me the honor of calling me, and that makes you think. I first spoke with Montpellier, I could have worked with Erick Mathé, but things were different. I have a great challenge with Usam but it will be from July 1st.

How will this happen for you by ?

There will be contact because we need to reassure people and discuss with them. This is very important but I will not interfere with the current dynamics of Usam. Today, I am focused on my Academy project, in the MHR file fully until June 30 to move the files forward. That’s what drives me. I want to have a great transmission, that the Academy continues to grow and that the professional players are at their best level over the next six months. This is normal.

You have worked a lot on training. Is this also what attracted you to the Usam project ?

I have been involved in youth sectors for a very long time, there are young people with interesting profiles at Usam. The idea is that they push the doors, they will be well accompanied. We will do everything necessary to have local young people who can join the team, we will do that in an intelligent way…

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