Nîmes Olympique: his ten years in the skin of a Crocodile, his salary, his departure, Assaf, the marshmallows… the truths of Kelyan Guessoum

Kelyan Guessoum after his first (and only) professional goal against Pau, at the end of April 2023. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

The now former Crocodile looks back for the first time on his departure to Bulgaria, and on his ten years spent at Nîmes Olympique. Kelyan Guessoum spoke to Midi Libre, and he had things to say…hellip;

He was the last of the Mohicans, the last of the Nîmes professional players born in Gard (in Alès). After 25 years in his department, including ten in the colors of Nîmes Olympique, Kelyan Guessoum, the Cévenol, the Croco, the Franco-Algerian, left for Bulgaria in February. He found refuge with the last of the local D1, Etar Veliko Tarnovo. A surprising choice, for this versatile defensive element, which he agreed to explain to Midi Libre via a long Whatsapp call, Monday March 25.

How do we end up at the bottom of the Bulgarian championship ?

I wanted to leave, to start again, because I no longer felt respected here. I had an offer from Cholet (last of the National, Editor's note), which I refused because it was another hassle, and because between two hassles, I preferred to struggle at home (smile). Then the offer from Etar arrived, and I didn't think too much about it even though the club was last: I really needed a change of scenery.

Why ?

I couldn’t get enough of Nîmes. After ten years, maybe it’s normal, I don’t know. I saw the club decline. I knew him in L1, with a reserve in N2, like the biggest French clubs. For example, Goal FC, I faced them with the reserve in 2019. And now, we play them with the first, and we lose (1-2, in December, Editor's note)…

How do you think we got to this point ? Do you blame President Rani Assaf ?

It’s a set of things. Rani Assaf made mistakes, such as renouncing the training center's approval. But you shouldn't blame everything on him. He wanted to help the club with his project, and we put obstacles in his way. It’s a shame that the town hall gave in under pressure from supporters. This new stadium would have brought Nîmes forward. I don't blame him, even if he refused to give me a raise…hellip;

What happened to your salary? How much did you earn in National?

3,000,000 euros. This is what my contract provided for in the event of a descent. Of course, it was me who signed this contract, but I was so good at Nîmes, I loved this club so much, that I hadn't even negotiated. Initially, I was told that I could go free after relegation. And when JS Kabylie (Algerian D1), where I really wanted to go, contacted me this summer, Nîmes asked for 300,000 euros. The JSK has given up.

I accepted the decision, said that I was going to do my best to help him in National, but I was hoping for a gesture for my salary. I was told “Yes, don’worry” and there was nothing. I was one of the only ones to have played in L1 and L2, I gave everything for this club, I am a child of Gard and Nîmes and in the end, I got it. one of the lowest salaries…

It blew my mind. I am very affected and when my head is not going well, neither is the ground. I was angry, and that may explain my gesture (the arm of honor to a supporter at the Antonins, early November, Editor's note).

Today, in Bulgaria, are you at peace?

Yes, I'm enjoying it again. Our team is not “phew” but the championship is good. The teams at the top of the table play ball, in beautiful stadiums, with an atmosphere. It’s professional. The town of Veliko Tarnovo is pleasant. I was expecting a remote place: it's smaller than Nîmes (70,000 inhabitants) but there is a university, young people, good restaurants… The capital, Sofia, is only two hours away, I have already been there several times.

The club put me up in a nice apartment. There are French people in the team, like Boukholda, trained in Monaco, and many foreigners. People speak English in the locker room, more than in France where it's more difficult. I'm far from my family, but the phone works a lot. It’s a life experience. I signed for a year and a half, but I'm free if we go down.

You have played 154 matches with NO, including 99 in the first team: 15 in L1, 59 in L2, 15 in National, 49 in N2, 6 in N3 and 10 in Cups (French and League). What is your level, finally ?

I never asked myself the question… I'm not really a Ligue 1 player but my best matches were in L1! In L2, I was up and down and in National, let's say that I was not in my best psychological shape. At one point, I may have fallen asleep on my laurels, too…

Controversy: “No, we weren’t marshmallows”

FLOP When asked about his biggest regret in ten years à N&imes, Guessoum étalks about "last season. I think we had a good team. Besides, I have nothing against the coach (Bompard), but he didn’t have to do anything. say we were marshmallows. Everyone needs to question themselves…hellip;.

When we look at what Lopy, Saïd, Vargas or Tchokounté who shine in L2, Djiga who played; in the Champions League &agrav; Belgrade, De Gevigney very good with Barnsley, Maraval with Rouen… Even the January recruits, they were in spirit, but they were not physically ready.

TOPS And his best memory with NO ? "The rise from N3 to N2 in 2018 with a truly great team of colleagues, Dias, Buades, Sainte-Luce, Denkey, etc. And also my match &agrav; Lille in Ligue 1. We won with the future champion and I was in the typical team of L’Equipe. Finally, my only goal against Pau a year ago, in L2, à the last minute, that of hope for survival. In football, there is nothing better than scoring a goal!"

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