Philippe Saint-André and Montpellier, it’s almost over. According to our information, the former coach of the Blues will see his mission at the MHR end within two weeks, time to deal with current affairs and ensure a form of transition with his successor Bernard Laporte.
“Bernard will exclusively supervise and coordinate the sporting aspects of the club and Philippe will continue to advise general management, deal with sovereign issues and ensure relations with the authorities,” assured the president of the MHR Mohed Altrad to the JDD last Saturday .
Also read: Top 14: “It’s very inspiring to see that there are several lives in that of a coach”, Mola defends Laporte’s return
But you have to believe that everything is going faster than elsewhere at the moment in Hérault. Not very excited about the idea of donning a costume similar to an empty shell in the shadow of the former president of the French Rugby Federation, PSA will therefore interrupt a mission that it had started in March 2020, taking over by New Zealander Vern Cotter.
Convinced by Mohed Altrad to hand over his coaching cap less than a year later following the poor results which led to the dismissal of Xavier Garbajosa, the former winger and captain of the XV of France led the Cistes to a title in the Challenge Cup four months later and the first Shield of Brennus in their history in June 2022.
After a much more mixed 2022-2023 season, the “Goret” had regained height and its distance from the pitch. In a few days, he will simply distance himself from Montpellier, which is experiencing a catastrophic start to the season with six defeats on the clock in seven days and an alarming position as bottom of the Top 14.
If the MHR must find solutions to extricate itself from its unenviable situation, with a new staff hastily composed by Bernard Laporte, the coming weeks should be less stressful for PSA, which does not plan to dive back immediately.
“I’m going to enjoy my weekends again,” he tells us. Which should not prevent him from soon receiving some offers from professional rugby, given his CV and his connections in the circuit.
SEE ALSO – Dimitri Payet’s superb free kick in added time during Vasco-América on November 12 (2-1)