ASBH: “I am very Biterrois deep down”, before receiving Béziers, Alexandre Ruiz, coach of Soyaux-Angoulême talks about his links with the club

The Portiragnais will find his favorite club this Friday. Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON

While Béziers travels to Soyaux-Angoulême (11th), Friday evening (9 p.m.), Charente coach Alexandre Ruiz talks to us about his link with ASBH.

You discovered the position of head coach this season at Soyaux-Angoulême…

When you are in this position, you realize that it is a job with a lot of responsibility. It gets heavy when the defeats pile up but afterwards, it’s an incredible human adventure.

You have coached amateur or youth teams as number 1, what is changing in the professional world?

I kept the same method, very honest, very direct. I see players outside, I spend time with them, eat at a restaurant, drink beers. I believe that even in the professional world, we must not forget the essence of our sport and its values. As I often say to my players: “I've never played at this level, so I don't know the established rules”. I put my values ​​and those that led me to be number 1 in ProD2: living well together, being honest, uncompromising, and being consistent.

Heralded as a risky bet by some, your first season in this role is a success. Your leaders must be satisfied?

You'd have to ask them but I think so. It was risky for people from the outside who saw me only as a referee, who forgot the 17 years when I was a coach in parallel. I still gained great experience. Today I believe that the president is as relieved as the players, the public and our partners at the maintenance achieved.

"We must win fifty times in Béziers"

That she was the strong point of Soyaux-Angouleme this season ?

When I arrived I was clear, we needed a strong base: a good conquest and a strong defense. We are the 3rd offensive touch in ProD2, the 3rd against in the championship in touch, we are the 3rd defense and the 4th most disciplined team. It’s a good base, after which we are late in attack (14th), that’s a project that took more time. We managed to free ourselves in attack, a little late.

You narrowly lost to Béziers at the start of the season (20-19), did you see the potential of your team at that time ?

I told myself that a big part of the work had been done on the project and that the foundation was laid because we have to win fifty times in Béziers, honestly. Behind we won Aurillac and we took a point in Biarritz but behind we went five matches without victories and I realized that it was harder than it could have been at the start. The draw at home against Dax turned down the heat and showed me that nothing was taken for granted in this difficult championship. We managed to give the guys confidence again.

In the second part of the season, former MHR hopeful Alex Masibaka showed himself to his advantage…

He lost 7 kilos, he now has the lifestyle that a ProD2 player should have and he realized for himself that it was essential for performance. Today he is on top, in great shape, in full confidence, he tries things because technically he is a magician. He knows very well that it requires work.

🗣️ La réaction du manager de Soyaux Angoulême Alexandre Ruiz après la victoire des siens contre Biarritz : "Aujourd'hui on a peur de gagner. Nous, le staff, devons amener plus de confiance aux joueurs." pic.twitter.com/ZpWGBANbFu

— Sud Radio Rugby (@SudRadioRugby) February 9, 2024

What is the goal for Friday evening against Béziers ?

Chain a ninth reception without defeat at home, which has never been done in the history of the club in ProD2. Honoring the 8,000 people who will be present in a sold-out stadium. Honoring our families. For me, there are 14 of them coming from Portiragnes. On a more selfish side, I don't want to spend five weeks of vacation in Hérault and be told that I lost twice against Béziers (laughs ).

What are your relationships with the club ?

I am very close to Pierre Caillet. I have a lot of respect for him, we know our values. We're going to play the match to win it, both him and me.
I coached with Cyril Bonnafous in Capestang, when I started. I have a very good relationship with co-presidents Vidal and Guedj. Béziers is my favorite club and the day they needed me, I was able to respond.

A definitely special match for you?

I was born in Béziers, I am from Biterrois, I claim it. I spend weekends in Portiragnes, my village. I am very Biterrois deep down. Today I have a job where I manage Soyaux-Angoulême, I fight hard to honor these colors. But then there are the colors of the heart, and that, we can do anything, it will never change. I'm happy for them, it's three years of work for Pierre, who hasn't only had easy times. I'm happy for him because he deserves it and he's a good guy.

Also read: Alexandre Ruiz commits to Soyaux-Angoulême: "I feel capable of taking on this challenge"

What should we fear from ASBH this season ?

I remember two years ago, when I was at MHR, having a discussion with Karne Kaufana and Pierre Caillet about their offensive animation… And I laugh about it because I see things today that we talked about at the time (laughs). It’s the best attack, we’re going to go against what’s best offensively.

Are you one of those who fantasize about an access match Béziers-Montpellier ?

Everyone dreams of playing these matches, like the Basque derby in 2021, my last match on the whistle. First you have to play a play-off at home and secure it, then a semi-final. When I saw the 12,500 supporters against Nevers at the stadium, I said to myself that the “closed ticket offices” at 18 000, won't be far…

A prediction for this end of the championship?

I see Brive very dangerous, with a great collective experience and experience. There is also Vannes with the capacity they can have in one match, but be careful in two or three. And finally with Provence, there is also Grenoble which finishes very strongly.

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