ChristopheVAFC

Good evening, everyone. Reflecting on today's match: I don't think there's much to add to what the press articles above have already said. We were well-positioned to win this game, but we lost it—entirely of our own doing... It hasn't been the start to the season we hoped for; we need to turn things around quickly and get back to a winning streak... Have a great night, everyone. Allez VA !

Valenciennes vs. Fleury: disaster strikes for Dany Goprou—"and to top it off, it hits the post..." The Valenciennes defender played an unfortunate starring role in his team's 1–2 defeat to Fleury, scoring an own goal late in the match after squandering a golden opportunity and failing to react quickly enough to the opening goal conceded. He clutched his head in his hands and sank to his knees on the Hainaut pitch, as if the weight of what had just happened was suddenly too heavy to bear. In the space of a few minutes—and the two goals scored by Fleury (75th and 82nd minutes)—Dany Goprou experienced the full cruelty of which football is sometimes capable; the former Rouen player, who arrived in the North this summer, was truly dealt a harsh blow. Yet his afternoon had started well: following up on his excellent performance at Rouen (1–1), Goprou was making his second consecutive start in central defense alongside Bryan Passi, while Maël Zogba played a position further up the pitch. The setup had proven effective in Normandy, and there was no reason to change it—at least not before halftime—after a first half well-managed by the Valenciennes defense. Then, Derrick Abu—described as "sick" by his coach, and having narrowly escaped a red card for a reckless tackle—stayed in the dressing room. Involved in both Fleury goals The versatile Dany Goprou consequently shifted to the right flank. He even came close to scoring—or rather, doubling the lead—connecting with a cross from Luka Boiteau, only to hit a shot that was far too scuffed (60th minute). After a great missed opportunity—and there would be others in which he wasn't involved—and with his defensive line dropping deeper and deeper, the clouds soon began to gather over his head. It started with a fairly innocuous cross from Fleury on the left: Goprou was slow to react at the far post, and Verdier nipped in ahead of him to equalize. The nightmare continued just over five minutes later: a similar cross came in, and this time Goprou—having learned his lesson—got to the ball first. However, he botched the clearance so badly that he scored an own goal of textbook perfection, bringing a world of misery down upon himself. "And to top it off, it hit the post when he was actually trying to defend well," a dumbfounded Samir Belloumou remarked. But sometimes, it just isn't your day...

"The worst-case scenario imaginable": an own goal, a missed penalty, and a team that stopped playing—only to pay the price. After a well-played first half that saw them take the lead, VA tempted fate by sitting too deep against Fleury—who were all too happy to turn the match around (1-2). With three losses in six games, Valenciennes now sits 15th in Ligue 3. A last-minute equalizer penalty sent against the crossbar by Rayane Ekra—following, yet again, interminable minutes of video review—a stunning bicycle kick immediately afterwards from Mabrouk Rouaï that was saved by the opposing keeper, a flurry of red cards for Fleury, and a stadium rumbling first with delight and then with frustration... One could write a whole novel about the final moments of this VA-Fleury clash, as they ran the full gamut of emotions football sometimes offers—including the cruelest ones. "We tried too hard to protect that 1-0 lead, perhaps because we’re lacking a bit of confidence." – Samir Belloumou Yet, the chaotic spectacle and emotional rollercoaster that defined the match's conclusion cannot overshadow the way Pierre Blois’s players let a "pivotal" early-season game slip away. It was the kind of match that can launch a team in the right direction—or leave them tearing their hair out in frustration. The Valenciennes squad is left dealing with the latter—the headache-inducing outcome—after a second half that stood in stark contrast to the first. "We tried too hard to protect that 1-0 lead, perhaps because we’re lacking a bit of confidence," explains captain Samir Belloumou. Sometimes, there isn't much to say... Sitting back too much... VA had been leading since Mabrouk Rouaï’s fine opening goal (23rd minute) and enjoyed loud support from fans—rightly pleased with the spirited performance the team put on before the break. On paper, all the ingredients for a win were there, but by ceasing to play, squandering golden opportunities (Goprou 60th, Boiteau 67th), and sitting too deep, VA fell apart. They suffered the exact outcome that had been looming—a real kick in the teeth—when Dany Goprou turned an innocuous cross into his own net (1-2, 82nd minute). A missed penalty and an own goal: "It’s the worst-case scenario imaginable," lamented Pierre Blois. That is often the price you pay when you stop playing. VALENCIENNES – FLEURY: 1-2 (1-0) 4,539 spectators Goals: Rouaï (23rd) for Valenciennes; Verdier (78th), Goprou (82nd, own goal) Bookings: Karamoko (Fleury, 22nd, 90th); Maréchal (Valenciennes, 28th), Abu (Valenciennes, 38th) Sending-off: Karamoko (Fleury, 90th) VAFC: Louchet; Abu (Boiteau 45th), Passi (capt.), Goprou, Wahib (Belloumou 70th); Rouaï, Zogba, Maréchal (Courtet 85th); Amir (Diomande 60th), Abi (Ndiaye 85th), Ekra. Coach: Pierre Blois FLEURY: Alette; Cisse (Anne 69th), Colombo, Karamoko, Jean-Pierre; Le Méhauté (Khetir 69th), Lelevé, Lefebvre, Verdier (Badin 85th); Rivas, Lavigne (Homsa 69th). Etr: Maxime D’Ornano

Ligue 3 : après Issa Tounkara, Christ Zohoré à partir de janvier, le VAFC cible le continent africain - La Voix du Nord

FULL TIME STATISTICS

IS THE WIN !! Congrats Saint's Friends !!

Great picture

Scienza Do Brazil !!!

And 3 !

HALF TIME STATISTICS

The break !!

Club resume match Showing grit in the face of injustice, VA secures a hard-fought point at Rouen Whether in the Coupe de France or the league, things—good or bad—always seem to happen for VA when they visit Rouen. But what unfolded this Thursday evening in Normandy went beyond the ordinary. VA had to overcome the unthinkable to secure their first away point of the season (1–1). Regardless of the outcome, the 44th minute of the match will go down in Ligue 3 history. Just after a highly questionable penalty was awarded against VAFC, the referee went to check it via VAR—or FVS, as it is known in Ligue 3 this season. The problem? The referee’s monitor wasn't working. The reason? A cable had been unplugged moments earlier. Intentional or not, the penalty couldn't be reviewed; the referee stuck with his initial decision, and Rouen opened the scoring just before halftime—at which point, miraculously, the VAR system started working again. It was a cruel twist of fate following a first half where VA had withstood heavy pressure from Rouen before finally cracking due to an unverified penalty. Rayane Ekra equalizes It was enough to make one want to bang their head against the wall and scream about a curse. But instead of wallowing, the *Rouge et Blanc* returned from the dressing room with renewed purpose. They managed to level the score in the 67th minute thanks to Rayane Ekra’s third goal of the season, set up by Amir. Shortly after, Amir could have put VA ahead, but Rouen dominated the closing stages, forcing goalkeeper Louchet to pull off a crucial save (85th minute) to avert disaster. Ultimately, this hard-earned draw is a welcome result for the Valenciennes squad, who will now hope to build on this away point when they face Fleury at the Stade du Hainaut on Saturday, September 12.

Hello friends, I hope you're doing well. A look back at yesterday's match: no winner between Rouen and Valenciennes (1-1). I'm sharing a written summary of the match below. Have a great day. "A total farce," pride, and a first away point: Valenciennes’ bizarre night in Rouen Penalized late in the first half by a bizarre failure of the *Football Vidéo Support* (FVS) system, Valenciennes found the resolve to equalize and bring home their first away point of the season from Rouen (1-1). It is hard to know whether to laugh or cry, but the *Football Vidéo Support* (FVS)—the "budget VAR" introduced this season in Ligue 3—has once again made headlines for the wrong reasons. There was the disallowed goal against Caen after a lengthy delay, followed by multiple interruptions during the win over Bourg-en-Bresse; now, Valenciennes has learned the hard way just how much this innovation—laudable on paper—is struggling in its infancy. On the pitch in Rouen, the FVS offered no support at all and turned into a bad joke. "We have a technical problem..." Right at the end of a first half where VA had been put under pressure but remained solid, Rouen was awarded a penalty. The Valenciennes camp disputed the call and—as per the FVS protocol—requested a video review. The referee, however, was never able to see the footage. "We have a technical problem; there will be no analysis of this situation," the referee was heard telling a dumbfounded Pierre Blois—an exchange captured by Ligue 1+ cameras, which *did* actually have the footage. The cable wasn't plugged in Malik Tchokounté converted the penalty, and the FVS system miraculously came back online; it turned out—believe it or not—that a cable had simply been plugged back in. "It’s a farce, a total scandal," the Valenciennes camp fumed, and rightly so. But the damage was done for the Northerners, who had shown grit even if they hadn't posed much of an attacking threat in the first half. The amateurish nature and absurdity of the situation did, however, have the merit of stirring the pride of Pierre Blois’s men; they returned with greater attacking ambition and were deservedly rewarded when Zaïd Amir delivered a perfect cross to Rayane Ekra, who was unmarked at the far post. It was a well-deserved reward, even though they had to grit their teeth for a long spell against a strong Rouen side to hold onto the point. This marks Valenciennes' first away point of the season—one earned under circumstances they are unlikely to forget soon. ROUEN – VALENCIENNES: 1-1 (1-0) Goals: Tchokounte (45+4' pen) for Rouen; Ekra (67') for Valenciennes Bookings: Valenciennes – Rouaï (15'), Ekra (25'), Zogba (81'); Rouen – Touré (23'), Bassin (69') ROUEN: Maraval; Gaspar, Lamgahez (Borne 69'), Mendy, Bassin (c); Touré (Traoré 69'), Camara; Tramoni (Diaby 76'), Sommer, Karamoko (Viana 90+2'); Tchokounté (Pacius 90+2'). Coach: Régis Brouard VAFC: Louchet; Abu, Goprou, Passi (c), Wahib; Zogba, Rouaï, Marechal (Ndiaye 75'); Ekra (Marcel 88'), Abi (Courtet 88'), Amir (Meité 90+4'). Coach: Pierre Blois

In France, salaries are quoted on a monthly rather than a weekly basis. While I don't have the specific pay scale for individual players, I believe they range from a minimum of €1,500 per month (around £1,300) to a maximum of roughly €15,000 per month (about £13,000). Furthermore, in the third division, salaries are capped; clubs cannot simply pay whatever they want, as the system is strictly regulated.

VAFC: Issa Tounkara and Junior Ndiaye have arrived, but Valenciennes’ transfer business isn’t over yet Valenciennes, still able to sign a free agent or a loan player, is seriously considering bolstering its squad with a wide player to cover for Kylian Kouakou’s long-term absence. With the loan signings of midfielder Issa Tounkara (Southampton) and forward Junior Ndiaye (Montpellier) finalized right at the end of the transfer window, Valenciennes had completed its recruitment plan as intended. However, a season is a long journey full of twists and turns, and VA quickly learned this the hard way this year. After suffering a meniscus injury during the final pre-season match against Boulogne in late July, Kylian Kouakou required surgery; he is expected to be sidelined for four months—nearly half the season. "Four months means sixteen matches—that’s 48 points," calculates Pierre Blois, emphasizing the significant duration of his player's absence. A professional at Valenciennes for two years, Kouakou had previously seen limited playing time under the various coaches who had managed the team, but he appeared poised to start the current season with a new status and the coaching staff's confidence. "It would be good to have an extra player." Having scored a hat-trick in just eight minutes during pre-season and looking set to become a key asset for VAFC, Kouakou saw his prospects suddenly dim before the season even began. His injury also forced the club to rethink its plans; the impact of his absence was felt immediately at the start of the season, especially since Kader Diomande has also been sidelined since late July. Suddenly, Valenciennes found itself short of options on the flanks, making the need to cover for Kouakou’s absence increasingly urgent. "We also have Zaïd Amir, a potential international (for the Comoros), and there will undoubtedly be injuries and suspensions, so yes, we think it would be good to bring in an extra player," acknowledges the Valenciennes coach. "That said, there is a difference between what is possible on the market and what we can afford financially." VA could sign a free agent or bring in a new loan signing. Whatever the option, the need is real, and the transfer window isn't quite closed yet. ROUEN (2nd) vs. VALENCIENNES (13th), Thursday at 8:45 PM, live on Ligue 1+

VAFC: A new lace-inspired kit—but what lineup will Valenciennes field in Rouen? VAFC kicks off Matchday 5 of the Ligue 3 season this Thursday at 8:45 PM in Rouen. They will debut their third kit for the match but will still have to contend with a few absences. Featuring a stunning dark blue design with lace-inspired patterns—a nod to the lace-making heritage of the Cambrésis region—VAFC’s third kit for this season is expected to be a hit with fans. Pierre Blois’s squad will wear it for the first time this Thursday evening to open the fifth round of Ligue 3 action. The match will be broadcast in prime time on Ligue 1+, and the team aims to inject some momentum into a sluggish start to the season—having secured just 4 points from 4 games—in terms of both results and overall performance. The Valenciennes squad will look stylish in Normandy, but they won't be at full strength. As has been the case since the start of the season, Kader Diomande and Samir Belloumou remain sidelined by injury, though the coaching staff anticipates their return within a week. Meanwhile, Kylian Kouakou is out for another four months following meniscus surgery. Rocchia out for two weeks; Tounkara not quite ready VA will also be without Christopher Rocchia, who is sidelined for the next two weeks due to a hamstring injury. The left-back—a regular starter under Pierre Blois since the season began—is likely to be replaced by Abdelwahed Wahib, assuming the Valenciennes coach opts for a like-for-like replacement. Decisions regarding the two late-window signings have not yet been finalized. Midfielder Issa Tounkara, on loan from Southampton, arrived on Monday and has trained all week; however, having not played a match since June, he will first spend time with the reserve team before making his debut in Ligue 3. Junior Ndiaye is ready, but… Montpellier forward Junior Ndiaye arrived in the Hainaut region this Wednesday and took part in his first training session with his new team. He completed the full pre-season with Montpellier and is match-fit, though as of Wednesday, VAFC was still awaiting administrative approval for the loan. If the paperwork arrives in time, he will travel with the squad to Rouen. Rouen vs. VAFC, Thursday at 8:45 PM. Absentees: Belloumou, Diomande, Rocchia, Tounkara.

Hello friends, I hope you're doing well. Valenciennes news: ** SUMMER TRANSFER WINDOW ** The summer transfer window has closed for Valenciennes; once again, it saw plenty of comings and goings. The latest signings—Issa Tounkara (Southampton FC) and Junior Ndiaye (Montpellier)—have both joined VA on loan for the season. The club retains the option to bring in more players on loan if the need arises. ** THIRD KIT ** The third kit was unveiled this week; it’s blue—I’ve included a look at it below. ** MATCHDAY ** Today, Valenciennes plays away at FC Rouen. It promises to be a tough match—I’d take a draw! Kick-off is at 8:45 PM French time. I’m sharing some local press articles below. Allez VA!

Hello my friend! Here is what I can tell you about Mohamed Kaba: His preferred position: Defensive midfielder / Central midfielder (Number 6 or 8)—he plays both roles! Here is a summary the AI helped me put together (and it is generally spot-on): He is an athletic, box-to-box midfielder capable of playing just in front of the defense to break up play or a notch higher to drive the transition forward. Key Strengths Work rate and physical impact: He has a tremendous capacity for repeated high-intensity efforts, winning duels, and recovering possession frequently. Ball recovery: Excellent timing in tackles and interceptions; he effectively disrupts the opposition's lines immediately after losing possession. Forward drive and ball-carrying: He doesn't just defend; he has the ability to break lines with the ball at his feet through powerful bursts of acceleration up the middle. Maturity and leadership: Despite his youth during his time at VAFC, he quickly demonstrated great consistency and genuine tactical maturity. Areas for improvement / Weaknesses Discipline and commitment: His positive aggression in duels can sometimes lead to avoidable cards or fouls in dangerous areas. Finishing and final action: While he makes good forward runs, there is still room for improvement regarding his final shot or the decisive pass needed to boost his stats. Managing quiet spells: He could still learn to channel his intensity when the team is under pressure—settling the play down rather than constantly seeking physical impact. My summary: he was a highly appreciated player here in Valenciennes who gave his all on the pitch, wasn't afraid of physical contact, was often well-positioned, and had good game vision; personally, I was never really worried when he was on the field.

Issa Tounkara joins VAFC on loan until the end of the season A promising young talent from Malian football has just arrived in Valenciennes. The 18-year-old Issa Tounkara was loaned to VAFC this Monday by Southampton—a club also owned by the Sport Republic group—for the remainder of the season. A defensive midfielder, the player came up through the ranks at the Malian academy *Etoiles du Mandé* before signing with Southampton last June. As captain of Mali’s U17 team, he reached the final of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations with his national side last season. A player with immense potential, Issa Tounkara now hopes to take the next step in his development while wearing the Valenciennes colors. Welcome to VA, Issa! Issa Tounkara, VAFC’s new signing: "I came to Valenciennes to continue my development and give my all to help this great club in Ligue 3. I am a defensive midfielder who wins back a lot of possession and has good passing ability. I can't wait to get started in my new colors." Jean-Christophe Cesto, VAFC Sporting Coordinator: "Issa is a player who was recruited by Southampton. However, as part of his development, the idea was to include an intermediate step at Valenciennes. Above all, his profile matches exactly what we were looking for: an aggressive defensive midfielder—a defensive anchor capable of bringing power and strength. That was the type of profile we were missing in the squad. We are very happy to bring him in, as he is a player with huge potential. We will play a part in his development so that he can help us perform well this season."

Hello everyone. First of all, congratulations on yesterday's win against Millwall. A look back at yesterday's match: Since I wasn't at the stadium, I can't give you my own opinion, but from the many reports I've heard, it was a dull game with few chances—resulting in a draw that seemed almost inevitable... I hope the arrival of Issa Tounkara and the new striker next week will add some extra quality to the team. Valenciennes' next match: An away game against FC Rouen on Thursday, September 3rd, at 8:45 PM (French time). As for my comparison between Tonda and Pierre, I mainly made that point because both had been reserve team coaches before being promoted to the first team. 🙃 Have a great Sunday, everyone. Allez Valenciennes, all the way! 😎

Ligue 3: Valenciennes lacked daring—and a real touch of flair Toothless, VA posed little threat to Concarneau this Saturday in a match devoid of life or spark (0-0). Pierre Blois’s men primarily needed to steady the ship following last week’s defeat against Paris 13; to their credit, they remained solid. A few boos did drift down from the stands at the final whistle—nothing too harsh—but the supporters' section remained true to the stance it had adopted for its big return to the Stade du Hainaut (following the previous match against Bourg-en-Bresse). The order of the day is unconditional support for VAFC, even after a match notably lacking in moments of brilliance—to put it mildly. Truth be told, it was a thoroughly dull affair at the Stade du Hainaut, with neither side willing to take any risks. "I prefer to see the glass as half-full" Valenciennes, in particular, needed to regain some confidence after somehow managing to lose to Paris 13 despite enjoying 72% possession. "I prefer to see the glass as half-full," said Pierre Blois. "We picked up a point this Saturday, kept a clean sheet, and remain unbeaten at home." Training that week had focused primarily on these aspects: "being more solid, giving the opposition less space, and being sharper on second balls." Like model pupils well-briefed on the strengths of a Breton side now playing under the "Moulin method"—"I knew Stéphane would be waiting for us with his pacy forwards"—the "Red and Whites" were never really troubled, save perhaps for a header by Loïc Goujon that forced a save from Jean Louchet (58th minute). It was something of a tit-for-tat moment, coming just two minutes after a free-kick from Thibault Maréchal had found Gaëtan Courtet’s head at the far post—though the effort went over the bar—sending a (slight) shiver down the spines of the Concarneau side. Otherwise, VA lacked the attacking initiative to cause any real alarm, save for a series of shots from Rayane Ekra—only one of which was on target. "In terms of attack, it’s not enough," admitted Pierre Blois, "but then again, Rome wasn't built in a day; it’s going to take time." The coach is also counting on the return of injured players and reinforcements from the transfer market to speed up the process. VA is back in action soon, with a match in Rouen this Thursday. Pierre BLOIS and Stéphane MOULIN VALENCIENNES – CONCARNEAU: 0-0. Stade du Hainaut. 4,864 spectators. Referee: Mr. Gazon. Bookings: Passi (Valenciennes, 61st); Janno (Concarneau, 13th), Divialle-Corbière (Concarneau, 55th). Valenciennes: Louchet; Abu, Passi (capt.), Zogba, Rocchia (Wahib, 87th); Rouaï, Maréchal; Amir (Lebouath, 78th), Marcel (Boiteau, 78th), Ekra (Lesueur, 87th); Courtet (Abi, 70th). Coach: Pierre Blois. Concarneau: Viot; Halby-Touré, Seba, Divialle-Corbière, Etcheverria; Daou; Sidibé (Macon, 46th), Goujon (Gbelle, 90+4), Picouleau, Rosier (Mercier, 72nd); Janno (Varvat, 78th). Coach: Stéphane Moulin.

VAFC: Midfielder Issa Tounkara expected at Mont-Houy on Monday; "huge potential" The arrival of a midfielder on loan from Southampton is scheduled for Monday at the Mont-Houy training center. It is Issa Tounkara, an 18-year-old Malian player whose potential has generated high hopes at Sport Republic. Meanwhile, the club keeps a close watch for the arrival of a central striker—that rare breed of player who is fast and thrives in open space. This is a priority target that VAFC is "making progress" on, according to sporting coordinator Jean-Christophe Cesto. The transfer window for contracted players is closing soon (Tuesday at 8 PM), but since it will still be possible to secure a loan or sign a free agent after that date, the club is working on this matter under relatively low pressure—though the aim is obviously not to drag things out. "We need one" A new player is indeed expected at Mont-Houy early in the week, but it will be a midfielder, as Pierre Blois mentioned on the eve of the match against Concarneau. He fits a defensive profile—strong in duels and ball recovery—and plays a different style than Mabrouk Rouaï, Thibault Maréchal, and Samir Belloumou (who has resumed individual training following a calf injury). "We need one," the Valenciennes coach remarked. "Right now, the situation is that we have four midfielders available, given that Samir hasn't returned yet. When he is back, we'll have five. I want to have two players for every position and create competition." "I feel we’re lacking strength in the middle of the park at the moment." Valenciennes looks set to find that in Issa Tounkara, an 18-year-old Malian signed by Southampton in April (on a five-year deal); he needs to gain experience before facing the physical demands of the English league. A product of the Étoiles du Mandé academy and a former U17 international for his country, he is considered a top prospect—one well known to Jean-Christophe Cesto, who has followed him closely in his role at Sport Republic. The player VA has been waiting for—held up by visa issues—will arrive at Mont-Houy on Monday, likely training the following day... and potentially playing at Rouen on Thursday, if the coaching staff deems him ready.

Congratulation for the big victory today against Millwall !!! COYR !!! 😍

Ligue 3: Stéphane Moulin reflects on his failed stint at VA: "I tried to implement my methods, but they didn't work." Six months after voluntarily leaving VAFC following an unsuccessful spell, Stéphane Moulin returns to the Stade du Hainaut this Saturday with Concarneau, the team he took charge of this summer. He agreed to look back on his short-lived time in the North—a tenure that was originally intended to be a long-term project. - Stéphane, how did you end up at Concarneau? Did you want to find a new project this season? "I received several offers, including from Ligue 2 clubs, but things didn't work out. Initially, Concarneau’s coach (Stéphane Rossi, now at Paris 13) had extended his contract by a year, so there was no plan to change managers. However, a dispute with the board led to his departure. The club then reached an agreement with Maxime d’Ornano, who ultimately decided not to come. They found themselves looking for a coach again, and since the sporting director (Philippe Leclerc) is a friend of mine, he simply asked if I was interested in joining. It was quite an incredible set of circumstances." - Do you dive in with your eyes closed when you know someone that well? "I know the club a little, but above all, I know Philippe very well. So, I knew there wouldn't be any surprises. The club’s strength lies primarily in its human, family-oriented atmosphere. As for the rest, they don't have the same resources as practically every other club (in Ligue 3), and it shows (laughs)! But the situation is clear, and I’m perfectly happy with it." ” “I had never left a club mid-season before.” - In that respect, is Concarneau the polar opposite of VAFC? “Yes. In terms of approach, history, stature, budget—everything—there is no comparison.” - Was that what you needed at that particular moment? “Not necessarily. But it’s also good to get back to the roots of football, to the basics—and I don’t mean that in a derogatory way. You have to try to optimize everything to be competitive. That’s the kind of environment I experienced twenty-five or thirty years ago at Châtellerault, and it suited me perfectly. The ambitions aren’t the same as at Valenciennes, but the level of competition is, so it remains a very interesting challenge.” - What prompted you to leave Valenciennes in February? “When you feel like things aren’t working, not clicking, or not moving forward, I think you have to take responsibility. There were multiple reasons, and I don’t necessarily want to dwell on them or stir up controversy. I don’t hold a grudge against anyone. But let’s just say there was a gap between what I had envisioned and what we actually achieved, and in the end, everyone was disappointed. Perhaps I wasn’t the right person in the right place at the right time. It was a combination of factors—myself included—that didn’t yield satisfactory results. I had never left a club mid-season before.” - Is it a failure? “It’s an experience. I would have preferred it to turn out completely differently. But football isn’t like a storybook; there’s always an opponent, a specific context, and a host of other factors involved. Players succeed at some clubs and not others; it’s the same for coaches—as this proves.” » - Did you fear the club was heading for disaster if you didn’t leave? "Honestly, no. I thought we would stay up. We had a nine-point cushion—seven, actually, once you factor in the point deducted after the match against Sochaux—over the first relegation spot when we left (he and his assistant, Patrice Sauvaget). We were sitting in twelfth place. But, the truth is, that’s not what I came here for. No one was satisfied—not the players, the board, the partners, the fans, or the staff. We had already tried to shake things up during the break by bringing in new players. I bear my share of the responsibility, but there are things you learn over time, and what I experienced didn’t exactly encourage me to keep going down that path." "You have to work hard to achieve results. If working hard becomes a problem, I’d rather just leave." - Did the hostile atmosphere weigh heavily on you? "Personally, I’d never experienced anything like it. I fully understand the expectations surrounding the club. But we paid the price for our own actions and for what had happened before we arrived—things we had nothing to do with. The worst part is the feeling that you’re never going to dig yourself out of the hole. That’s when anger sets in." - Did you find the abandoned match against Sochaux particularly difficult to deal with? "Yes. We’re not living in a fairy-tale world, of course, but that’s not why I do this job. I struggle to accept things going that far. It borders on violence, and violence has no place in football. It’s not pleasant for anyone when things aren't working out. People always look for someone to blame. So, I’m taking the blame myself; that way, we can move on to something else." - Was there a rift between you and the squad? Or a communication issue, as some have suggested? "That’s also why I preferred to leave; I’m under no illusions. To me, high standards are essential in a professional football club—you can’t succeed without them. When you’re capable of an 8/10 performance but settle for a 5, that doesn’t sit right with me. I tried to implement my methods, but they didn’t work—a first for me in thirty years in this profession. Achieving results requires hard work. If working hard becomes a problem, I’d rather leave." "I demanded high standards, but I won’t change; it’s in my nature." - Would you do anything differently if you had the chance to do it all over again? "Honestly, I haven’t really asked myself that. There were issues with weight gain, players turning up late... I don’t spend my time playing the policeman; my job is being a football coach. For things to work, you need high standards across the board. Of course, what I’m saying here doesn’t apply to everyone. It’s the first time I haven’t felt a real connection with a squad—or rather, with a part of the squad. I demanded high standards, but I won’t change; it’s in my nature." "Video is great—we use it—but I prefer working out on the pitch. It might be out of fashion, but that’s just how I do things." - You’re returning to the Stade du Hainaut this Saturday. Will it be a special match for you? "Not really, no. I didn’t leave on bad terms with anyone. Unfortunately, I only spent seven months at Valenciennes—that wasn’t the plan, but that’s life. I’m certainly not coming back looking for revenge; I got along very well with the coach who took over, Pierre (Blois). I follow his progress and always keep a close eye on Valenciennes’ results. I’m heading there calmly and with a clear mind. There are players and staff members I’ll be happy to see again. I hope they can get back to Ligue 2 this year if possible; they have everything it takes to succeed." VALENCIENNES vs. CONCARNEAU, Saturday, 2:45 PM, Stade du Hainaut. Broadcast live on Ligue 1+.

Hello friends, I hope you are all doing well. First of all, I wish you a great match this afternoon at home against Millwall—I’m hoping for a win for you! Valenciennes is also playing this afternoon against Concarneau, at home as well. The goal is to recover the points lost in the last match on the artificial turf at Paris 13. In the opposing dugout today is Stéphane Moulin, the former VA coach who was recently interviewed by the local press about the seven months he spent at Valenciennes (I’m sharing the article below). ** COACH'S PRESS BRIEFING ** - We’ve moved on from the defeat at Paris 13; we had 10 days to focus on what’s next, and our attention is now entirely on today’s match against Concarneau. We’re going to try to bring the same elements and deliver the same kind of performance that helped us win our last home game at the Stade du Hainaut against Bourg-en-Bresse in front of the fans. - Against Paris 13, we had 72% possession, but we can't ignore the context of the match—specifically the pitch, which isn't really built for football. I think if we had played at the Stade Sébastien Charléty (a stadium with a natural grass pitch, better suited for professional matches), we could have played a better game, or at least something different. - We had prepared a specific tactic for the Paris 13 match, but we conceded a goal very early on (in the 3rd minute). That forced us to rethink our approach; we had to attack more and leave ourselves more exposed. In the first half—even though we didn't take enough shots, put in enough crosses, or create enough chances—we didn't concede much defensively, either. In the second half, we added more attacking threat by bringing on a second striker, but we conceded a second goal before the hour mark (55th minute). Despite that, the final 25 minutes were much more interesting; we managed to pull a goal back via a penalty late on, but it wasn't enough to avoid defeat. - Today, against Concarneau, we want to show our true colors against an opponent that plays good football, knows how to build play, and possesses interesting attacking potential—including some fast players. - We want to pick up more points at home; we want to be active participants in the match—like we were against Bourg-en-Bresse—rather than mere spectators. We want to make the Stade du Hainaut a difficult place for opponents to play. We want a winning mentality, and we’ll do everything we can to win as many home games as possible this season. - Regarding the transfer market, we are targeting a midfielder who is due to arrive next week; it should be made official soon. He fits the profile we need. I also know the board is working on signing a striker—one with a different profile from the players we currently have (Courtet, Abi, Kouakou)—and progress on bringing him in is moving in the right direction. I’d like to bring in other players too, especially given recent injuries, but there are many factors beyond our control—the transfer market, finances, and a whole host of other things. - I’m expecting a match this afternoon against a well-organized, attack-minded team that is comfortable in transition phases. Concarneau is on a good run of form, and they’ll be looking to come here and get a result. - Stéphane Moulin’s return doesn’t affect me much personally, though I imagine it will be a special match for him coming back here to Valenciennes. I have a good relationship with Stéphane; I respect and appreciate him a great deal. It will be a pleasure to see him again, as I have a great deal of respect for him; however, for 90 minutes today, both he and I will be focused solely on winning the match. ** TEAM FORM ** * VAFC * - Caen 4-0 VAFC - VAFC 2-0 Bourg-en-Bresse - Paris 13 2-1 VAFC * CONCARNEAU * - Concarneau 0-2 Orléans - Quevilly 1-1 Concarneau - Concarneau 2-0 Villefranche Kick-off is at 2:45 PM French time; I will try to share a link with you later today. Enjoy the match, everyone—and Allez VA!