Altrad on the identity of the MHR: “We don’t have a 16th man in Montpellier. In terms of support, he doesn’t exist”

President Mohed Altrad regretted the low passion of the public at the GGL Stadium MAXPPP – MICHEL CLEMENTZ

On the sidelines of the formalization of a new staff, president Mohed Altrad estimated that the low passion of Montpellier supporters was a handicap to being "a big club".

"We are in crisis but please bear with us", So Mohed Altrad started his press conference this Tuesday at Mas Neuf, in Vic-la-Gardiole. Highly awaited, the president of the MHR had "nothing to hide", despite several philosophical digressions, notably on the& rsquo;etymology of the word crisis (Krisis), and an almost inaudible voice. "We have to be lenient towards us because we are a young club, it is a weight that we carry. Since 2011, Montpellier has been the unwanted child, even more so since I was there", he underlined in the preamble to explain the club's catastrophic season, which saved his lead with extreme precision in the Top 14, last Sunday against Grenoble (18-20 victory) during the access match.

Also read:MHR: Bernard Laporte "will not be deputy president", "Doumayrou, Paillaugue and Caudullo, a full staff of Montpellier residents", Mohed Altrad takes stock

Maybe we spoiled the players too much and were kind to them.

Montpellier is saved, Montpellier needs to be rebuilt, but Montpellier will not have Bernard Laporte as future delegate president, as expected in recent weeks. "Bernard Laportel remains director of rugby. He is not there to coach, he is there to bring his considerable experience. He has his vision of the game, the last word comes back to him. It is there in the medium and long term."

Laporte remains director of rugby

Arrived on November 19, 2023, "Bernie" was contested a month ago by the majority of the group, after a scathing interview in Midi Libre during  which he denounced his predecessors and the lack of involvement of certain players. An episode swept aside by the president: "We'll clarify that, but never again. When the rugby director has things to say, he says them. He was angry. Maybe we spoiled the players too much and were kind to them. After Toulouse (defeat 22-29, May 18), they told me that they were not the height. Besides that, they also said that they were attached to the institution. This is paradoxical. "

Laporte therefore remains the big boss of the athlete and, at his side, he will have a staff with a (very) strong Montpellier accent, since the former members of the house Joan Caudullo (manager), Benoît Paillauge (attack) and Geoffrey Doumayrou (defense) arrive alongside Didier Bès (scrum), Antoine Battut (throw-in, maul, forward play) Benson Stanley (ground play) and Jérémy Valls (footing play).

Preferred local color

A local color which was fatal to Patrice Collazo, Christian Labit and Vincent Etcheto, who were not reappointed, despite the "success" of their mission. Except that forty-eight hours after the rescue of the club, tongues are starting to loosen. In the first row of the disappointed, the three-quarter coach Vincent Etcheto. In an interview granted this Tuesday to our colleagues at Midday Olympic, Etcheto denounces a "putsch" fomented by the elders of the house, among whom are, according to him, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Louis Picamoles, Benoît Paillaugue and Joan Caudullo.

It’s a challenge because no one has been a high-level coach. I assume my responsibility.

These last two come back into full light. Comment from Mohed Altrad: "It’s a challenge because no one has been a high-level coach. I assume my responsibility. This season, I wasn’t there often. I'm going to be more present. Are they able to last ? Every year, four to five clubs change coaches but we only talk about us, I don't understand."

Identity and public

No doubt because the MHR conveys a murky image, with a poorly perceived identity. A handicap that Mohed Altrad blames on the public, which is not very present this season. "We are not a shaky club but, to make great clubs, it you need an audience. However, we do not have a 16th man in Montpellier. It’is up to the public to build an identity." This will be one of Laporte's missions: to put on a show and fill the stadium, while no objective has been set for the staff , even if we can imagine that qualification for the final phases would be welcome.

"We have to try to build something. Life is about building and rebuilding, said Mohed Altrad, a metaphor for his own life. But when it comes time to start from scratch, the president is not sure of anything, even if he has bet everything on the club's veterans, with whom he hopes to start a new story capable of building loyalty. and unite the active forces of Montpellier. "When we have come close to the precipice, we must learn the lessons. It requires work." The challenge is huge. To never relive such a nightmarish season again.