“I had to put out the fire”: Julien Deljarry looked back on a week of tension at the MHB

Julien Deljarry a réuni staff et joueurs pour éteindre l’incendie. MICHAEL ESDOURRUBAILH – MICHAEL ESDOURRUBAILH

À la veille du match de Ligue des champions à Zagreb, le président du Montpellier Handball a réuni staff et joueurs pour remettre l’église au milieu du village.

After a week of internal tensions, Montpellier snatched a draw (27-27) in Zagreb on Wednesday in the Champions League play-off. You must be satisfied?

I am, especially regarding the state of mind of the team. Between everything… After the Paris match (elimination in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France), everyone's attitudes were important to bounce back.

Were you annoyed by the behavior of your coach (who no longer spoke to his group after Paris) and the position taken by the players via their captain, Valentin Porte& nbsp;?

Also read: "He decided to take a step back, it's his life" : tensions between Patrice Canayer and his players as MHB goes to Zagreb

I had to speak up. I stopped all that on Tuesday by taking advantage of the trip to Zagreb. I brought everyone together. Patrice (Canayer) was not very keen. It was the day before the match. But when I read the Midi Libre article on the internet, it convinced me. I had to put out the fire.

"Either everything went into a tailspin… i.e."

What was your speech?

That we were in an important moment. Either everything went into a tailspin, everyone focusing on their objectives. Either the staff and the players returned to the same course of action, to the same objectives. I mentioned a necessary awareness. That they all had the right to lose a match but that they had to fight, transcend themselves like the 2018 team (winner of the Champions League). I no longer want to see partners at the end of a meeting come and say to me: "I paid but this evening, I have the impression to be fooled.

What were the reactions??

I believe that my intervention was well received and appreciated. Some wanted and needed to hear certain things.