MHR-Usap: Patrice Collazo will celebrate his 50th birthday with a hot derby

Patrice Collazo has been manager of MHR since November 19. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

The manager of the MHR, Patrice Collazo, will be 50 years old this Saturday, April 27. A symbolic age in a context of fire for the Varois.

Patrice Collazo will remember this one. Celebrating your 50th birthday in a "muerte" match is not given to everyone. A symbolic age. An age of reason ?

The look is less dark, the rise in temperature is slower, the signals of annoyance are less visible and the nails are a little less bitten. "I’have changed", smiled Patrice Collazo upon his arrival in Montpellier, on November 19. Six months in Hérault and the image of the hot-blooded, sometimes paranoid character seems more tempered.

No more bloodshed at the edge of the pitch or at a press conference when a question irritates him. No more fake compositions for training open to the media.

"Collaz'" gives off less of this side that is always in a bad mood. The strength of age, no doubt. Maturity plays its role. Be careful, not the maturity of man. Nor that of the coach. But that of the manager, deemed late. This gnawing profession, where each human and sporting parameter must be weighed to the nearest gram. And where the shoulders must be strong enough to support the mental load.

"I tell myself that if I was an "asshole", this wouldn't have happened"< /h2>

"I was given an image, a reputation. But in 2021, when I left Toulon, I received six invitations to come and see clubs operate, including that of Ugo Mola in Toulouse. I found myself in Treviso with Marco Bortolami and even in the England team, with Eddie Jones. I tell myself that if I was an "asshole", this wouldn't have happened", declared the person concerned in Midi Olympique en last December.

In six months at the MHR, not the shadow of a small shouting match to remobilize the troops can be recounted, due to lack of testimony. "I'm not convinced, in our situation, that it brings anything. With experience… Maybe a few years ago I would have done it. But I see things differently", he slipped into a smile recently.

Perhaps the Montpellier context facilitates a more serene approach. The emergency mission entrusted to him by Bernard Laporte last November is less mentally consuming than a “club project”. The climate of the city too, less heavy than in Toulon for example, a city which exudes red and black.

Also read: MHR – RC Toulon: Patrice Collazo, coach in the skin

Finally, the workforce at his disposal. Perhaps the lack of leadership in his group, therefore less divisive, simplifies coach-trained interactions.

Maybe – I promise, this is the last one – that everything will return to the way it was before if the adventure continues next year for Patrice Collazo. In the meantime, the MHR manager has candles to blow out this Saturday, in the context of a predicted fire. Unless Usap eats the cake before…

Patrice Collazo in brief

– Born on April 27, 1974 (49 years old) in La Seyne-sur-Mer.
– Old post: pillar.
– Clubs (player) : Bordeaux-Bègles (1993-1995, 1996-2000), Toulon (1995-1996), Stade Français (2000-2001), Gloucester (2001-2003, 2005-2008), Stade Toulousain (2002-2005), Racing 92 (2008-2009).
– Selection with the XV of France: 1.
– Clubs (coach): Racing 92 (hopefuls, 2010-2011), La Rochelle (2011 -2018), Toulon (2018-2021), Brive (2022-2023).
– Contract signed with the MHR: 18 months. He replaces Richard Cockerill.