ChristopheVAFC

National League: Valenciennes once again watches the train of efficiency slip away and remains on the platform Not outclassed against Dijon, who arrived at the Hainaut stadium as National League leaders, Valenciennes nevertheless lost this Friday evening (0-1). As against Fleury, they paid dearly for their lack of clinical finishing in both penalty areas and gained an even better understanding of what distinguishes a mid-table team from the very best. Dijon could have, with a perfect alignment of circumstances, secured their promotion to Ligue 2 this Friday evening in Valenciennes. To do so, they absolutely needed to win, which they did with the authority of the (future) champions, and hope that no one behind them won. With Rouen having beaten Aubagne (3-1) and Fleury Châteauroux (0-2), Ridira's men will have to wait another week. With an eight-point lead over third place and three matchdays remaining, things are still looking pretty good. Seven days after their defeat at Fleury, Valenciennes were once again reminded of the gap between them and the top teams this season. "The best teams are clinical, and we take our time to score; we need several chances," lamented a frustrated Mabrouk Rouaï. Valenciennes' attractive first half-hour was a striking demonstration of this, particularly with two attempts by Charles Abi: first, he cut in at the near post but sent the ball over the bar (15th minute), then he was just short of connecting with a cross from Alexi Koum (19th minute). "We didn't put enough away in the second half." "Our first half was good; it would have been very good if we had managed to convert our chances, but we didn't. The difference (between them and us) is that they are efficient in both penalty areas, and when they create chances, they put the ball in," observed Pierre Blois. Dijon took the lead with a header from Julien Domingues (0-1, 63rd minute), three minutes after Julio Tavares had narrowly missed the target. Valenciennes were unable to inject any real pace into the game after that. Pierre Blois, who had brought back Derrick Abu, not seen on a National pitch for five months, also gave playing time to the (young) guard towards the end – Célestin Nyemb, Ben Osman, and Nolann Bourichon – to see what these youngsters were capable of and in the hope that, with the exuberance of youth… Unfortunately, they weren't given enough of a chance. "When you have the opportunity to show what you can do and play your first minutes as a professional, you have to give more," the coach stated firmly. "And I think we didn't give enough in the second half." VALENCIENNES – DIJON: 0-1 (0-0) Stade du Hainaut 6,472 spectators. Referee: Mr. Ustaritz. Goal: Domingues (64th minute) for Dijon. Yellow card for Dijon's Barreto (75th minute). Valenciennes: Louchet; Abu (Ipiélé, 74th minute), Niakaté, Coeff, Koum (Bourichon, 82nd minute); Rouaï, Belloumou (captain, Osman, 82nd minute), Maréchal (Boissier, 66th minute); K. Diomandé (Nyemb, 74th minute), Abi, Appuah. Coach: Pierre Blois. Dijon: Montfort; Lacroix (Obongo, 84th minute), Diouf, Bernard, Diallo; Chouchane (Aka, 90th minute), Marie (captain), Vargas Rios (Nsimba, 64th minute); Barreto (Barka, 84th minute); Domingues (Ntamack, 64th), Tavares. Coach: Baptiste Ridira.

Hello everyone, I hope you’re all doing well on match day. I’d like to wish the supporters travelling to Wembley Stadium a safe journey and everyone a great match! A look back at yesterday’s match between Valenciennes and Dijon. With a different line-up from recent matches due to absences (Loick Landre and Gaetan Courtet suspended, and Ylan El Hadary and Bryan Passi injured), it was a tough challenge against the league leaders. I thought we performed reasonably well in this match; Valenciennes didn’t sit back and tried to create chances, but it wasn’t enough as we lacked efficiency in front of goal. Our opponents didn’t impress me and they didn’t have many chances, but just one was enough to win the match. I think that’s probably part of what makes the top teams in the league so successful. Just a few more matches to go before the end of the season, and I hope next season will be much better than this one. Enjoy the match, everyone! Oh Went The Saints Go Marching In !

I’m expecting several departures (again) this summer; we’ll need to rebuild part of the squad, and the aim will be to get it right and find the right players. With the arrival of Jean-Christophe CEST, backed by Johannes Spors, I hope the choices will be the right ones for next year, even though there are plenty of uncertainties, especially in football... The end of the season is approaching, and this is an opportunity for some players to prove themselves to other clubs for next season. As for Derrick, it seems to me that it was mainly because there were several players in his position (Alexis KOUM and Erin AIRHIAVBERE) and that the competition was tougher for him. The start of a project to build a team capable of promotion to Ligue 2 next season.

It looks like Dierrick Abu should start tonight’s match.

VAFC: Preparation for Next Season Begins Now With the club's place in the National league now secured, Valenciennes has two objectives: to prepare for next season and to get the reserve team promoted to the National 3. Of course, Pierre Blois wouldn't mind continuing next season in the role the club entrusted to him in February, following Stéphane Moulin's abrupt departure. "Of course I want to. Who wouldn't want to coach the club where they started playing football at the age of six?" The coaching diploma is a stumbling block and remains, of course, "central." Before speculating, there's a season to complete as best as possible. Having secured their place in the league last week, "the club has assigned us two objectives: one, to prepare for next season through these four matches; two, to get the reserve team promoted," which is currently battling with Cambrai and Saint-Amand in the Regional 1. The two aren't necessarily incompatible; "it's a balance we'll have to find." An Opportunity to Seize Preparing for next season means bringing up young players with little or no experience at this level (Célestin Nyemb, Ben Osman, Nolann Bourichon, Kaïs Lesueur, etc.) "to see what they're made of." It also means "revisiting players who are still under contract next season and who may have played less recently." There's no better way to make them understand that they have an opportunity to seize and that they would be wise not to let it slip away. VALENCIENNES – DIJON, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Stade du Hainaut.

Valenciennes face the league leaders without Courtet, Landre, or Passi: what adjustments can we expect? A central defensive pairing to rethink, Gaëtan Courtet to replace, and a league leader to subdue: Pierre Blois has no shortage of challenges to overcome before Friday night's match against Dijon. A host of absences Despite the 1-0 victory, the last home match against Versailles took its toll, the full effect of which will be felt against Dijon. Gaëtan Courtet and Loïck Landre received yellow cards, their third in three months, which will result in their suspensions this Friday. That evening, three players also left the pitch limping. While Stredair Appuah (cramps) and Rémy Boissier (bruised shin) got back on their feet quickly, this was not the case for Bryan Passi (hamstring), whose season is over. “He has contributed to our team” since his arrival in January, acknowledged Pierre Blois before the trip to Fleury, “not only defensively, but also offensively, on set pieces.” Three goals grace his Valenciennes stat line. They will have to manage without him until the end. The final absence to be lamented is that of Ylan El Hadary, whose return to the squad is hoped for next week. Charles Abi to start up front With Gaëtan Courtet unavailable, Charles Abi was the most obvious solution to replace him. At the pre-match press conference this Thursday, Pierre Blois didn't even try to create any suspense about his starting position. The Valenciennes coach has no complaints about a player with an exemplary attitude, but whose playing time has suffered from the return to a single-striker system. “Over the period since the coach arrived, Gaëtan has performed better than me, so that’s normal,” admits the player. “You have to be able to question yourself.” He will have the opportunity against Dijon to show he can be effective, having not scored since his first match against Bourg-en-Bresse. New faces in defense The combined absences of Bryan Passi and Loïck Landre will force Pierre Blois to innovate in defense. Romain Thomas, who hasn’t been seen on a National League pitch since October 21st and the away match against Aubagne, is coming off a good performance with the reserve team. Already with next season in mind, the coach is expected to favor Sakhalou Niakaté, to partner him with Alexandre Coeff, whom he has made an indispensable left-sided center-back since taking over. This will force him to bring back into the fold either Englishman Derrick Abu, who hasn't been seen in a very long time, or Canadian Erin Airhiavbere, who, after a promising start upon his arrival in January, was hampered by blunders committed against Le Puy and then Orléans. Meanwhile, Ahmed Diomandé's stock doesn't seem to be rising much. VALENCIENNES – DIJON, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Stade du Hainaut.

Hello everyone, I hope you’re all in good shape ahead of your FA Cup semi-final. I’ll be watching the match closely and will be right behind you! News from Valenciennes: Despite last Friday’s 2-0 defeat at Fleury, our club has officially secured its place in Ligue 3 for next season. Of course, I would have liked to have aimed higher this season, but it has been a turbulent one. I hope things will go better next year! Now that we have nothing left to play for, the club wants to start preparing for next season; players who have had little playing time will get their chance, and the youngsters will also be given opportunities in the final few matches. Tonight, we host the league leaders, Dijon, at the Stade du Hainaut – a formidable opponent heading for Ligue 2. It’s a big game, so of course a win tonight would be brilliant, but it won’t be easy. Kick-off is at 7.30 pm French time, and I’ve included the link to the match below: The site is having a problem with the links (just remove the space between ‘you’ and ‘tube’) https://www.you tube.com/watch?v=u-kaNXKcuwk I wish you all a lovely day! Allez VA et Come On You Yellow !

Hello my friends ! Congratulation again for the today victory versus Swansea !!! Great great great job really !! Very happy for you !!!

VA: Jean-Christophe Cesto, Mathieu Frison's replacement, already on the job Jean-Christophe Cesto, who succeeded Mathieu Frison as sporting coordinator for VAFC, but likely with less autonomy, has been in Valenciennes since Wednesday. He was logically in Bondoufle on Friday to watch the match against Fleury. On Friday, Jean-Christophe Cesto took his seat at the top of the presidential box, alongside general manager Yoann Godin, a few rows above Justin Lacombe and Erin Airhiavbere, who were not among the sixteen players selected for the matchday squad. Cesto had arrived with the rest of the group by bus from the hotel where the players had their pre-match meal. The man to whom Sport Republic entrusted the scouting of the various French leagues this season has been on the job since Wednesday, following the announcement of Mathieu Frison's departure. The sporting coordination of the Valenciennes club now falls to the 39-year-old Breton, whose relationship with SR Johannes Spors' sporting director dates back to the not-so-distant past when 777 Partners was enamored with a whole host of clubs, including Red Star. Up close to the pitch Jean-Christophe Cesto didn't arrive in unfamiliar territory in Valenciennes, having closely followed the club's development this season through his role at Sport Republic. Impressed by the way Pierre Blois managed to turn things around and breathe new life into the team, he wanted to be on the ground as quickly as possible to get a better feel for the situation. Preparations for the 2026-27 season are already underway, and while he won't have the same freedom of action as his predecessor, he will now play a pivotal role. A central one, to say the least.

National League: VA Defeated but Safe, We Take Consolation Where We Can Valenciennes should have been leading at halftime if they had been more precise in their final pass and shot. Instead, they were punished by Fleury after the break and were never able to recover. Despite the 2-0 defeat, they can at least take some satisfaction in knowing that their survival in the National League is now secured. VA is now safe from relegation in this league, which has given them a lot of trouble for the past two years. Their focus shouldn't be on second-to-last Châteauroux, who dropped to the bottom last week, but rather on Bourg-en-Bresse, who were beaten at home by Caen (0-2) on Friday night. Bourg-en-Bresse only has three matches left to play, and Valenciennes holds a ten-point lead over them. That's settled. “The mission we were given when we took over as interim manager, and which we’ve grown to enjoy as the weeks have gone by, has been accomplished,” Pierre Blois rejoiced, despite the 2-0 defeat in Fleury. “We mustn’t forget the context in which we took over the team, with difficult matches and strong opponents at home, like Caen and Versailles. It wasn’t a sure thing.” Like his coach, Alexandre Coeff would have “preferred to secure our place in the league with a win, but we’re not going to be picky when we see where we were not so long ago.” At rock bottom. 29 crosses, 13 shots… Two months later, Valenciennes has the proud bearing of those who enter the arena without flinching. In an Essonne Stadium reminiscent of a Roman amphitheater, he caused Fleury serious problems in the first half, demonstrating composure, control of the game, and dominance over the ball, which he monopolized without managing to effectively utilize it in the penalty area. This resulted in a match with "29 crosses (but only three successful) and 13 shots," tallied Pierre Blois. "Twice as many as the opposition." The difference was that when he struck, he struck hard. "We can't afford to come back in the 47th minute with that level of commitment," said the prolific striker Kevin Farade, alert to the opportunity, tapping in a shot from Homssa that Jean Louchet had managed to deflect onto the crossbar. The second goal came in stoppage time after a mistake by Jules Collet, whose introduction had otherwise been promising. Pierre Blois wanted to focus on the positives: "As usual, the players never gave up, they gave their all, they tried their hardest." FLEURY – VALENCIENNES: 2-0 (0-0). Essonne Stadium. 2,594 spectators. Referee: Mr. Legat. Goals: Farade (47th), Belliard (90th + 4) for Fleury. Yellow cards: Lelevé (45th), Belliard (88th) for Fleury; Niakaté (28th) for Valenciennes. Fleury: Alette; Lambèse (Bovis, 41st), Vogt, Karamoko, Plisson; Lelevé (captain, Angong, 73rd); Homssa (Jean-Pierre, 73rd), Le Méhauté (Gannoun, 81st), Aubourg; Rivas, Farade (Belliard, 81st minute). Coach: David Vignes. Valenciennes: Louchet; Niakaté (Collet, 66th minute), Landre, Coeff, Koum (Wahib, 86th minute); Belloumou (captain, Boissier, 74th minute); K. Diomandé, Maréchal, Rouaï (Kouakou, 74th minute), Appuah (Abi, 74th minute); Courtet. Coach: Pierre Blois.

Good evening, everyone, An update on tonight’s match: Valenciennes lost 2–0 away to FC Fleury, just like in the first leg... Not much else to add. Have a lovely evening, everyone. Allez VA !

I am also reassured by the appointment of the Cesto/Spors duo here in Valenciennes. I know that Johannes Spors is doing a good job at Southampton, and your strong finish to the season is partly down to him. The issue with Mathieu Frison is that he was young and didn’t necessarily have the network of contacts and experience, which I’m sure he’ll gain over the coming years. Of course, let’s not get carried away; we’ll see in the summer transfer window whether the initial decisions pay off with the arrival of players who match the club’s ambitions for next year. Wait and see, that’s for sure!

Questions Raised by Mathieu Frison's Departure from Valenciennes FC (VAFC) The departure of sporting coordinator Mathieu Frison was finalized on Wednesday, two months after Stéphane Moulin's departure from his coaching position. This signals a takeover by shareholder Sport Republic at VAFC. Analysis. Was Mathieu Frison's Departure Inevitable? The promises of stability made in the spring of 2025, when Stéphane Moulin arrived, were dealt a blow in February with his departure. Sent into the fray to provide talking points, sporting coordinator Mathieu Frison then dropped hints, like a wise old Hansel and Gretel, aware of the giant's intentions. "A football club is a whole, it's an organization. No one is above the institution." Everyone needs to take responsibility in their own way of working, because otherwise, we won't move forward. And the person who comes after me, or the coach who comes after Stéphane, will face the same problems.” He had insisted he wanted to see his mission through to the end, but it was as if he had already prepared himself for it to end sooner than expected. Made official on Wednesday, his departure is a clear sign of a takeover of Sport Republic. “There is a desire on the part of the shareholder, the one who ultimately pays,” to give Johannes Spors free rein at Valenciennes, confirms VAFC's general manager, Yoann Godin. Appointed in February 2025 as sporting director of Southampton and the group, the 43-year-old German is presenting himself as the new power broker. “All of this was done completely transparently with Mathieu. We’ve been working on it for weeks, but it’s a special moment,” admits the Valenciennes general manager. Who is Jean-Christophe Cesto? Having come through the FC Nantes youth academy, Jean-Christophe Cesto didn’t really break through as a professional player. He returned to the professional ranks after his playing career ended in 2018 as a video analyst for the Canaries. Appointed sporting coordinator for VAFC, replacing Mathieu Frison, he will report directly to Johannes Spors, whom he knew from his time at Red Star and Genoa, during his time with 777 Partners, an American investment fund that had turned multi-club ownership into a business before going bankrupt in 2024. The two men reconnected at Sport Republic, where Jean-Christophe Cesto had been in charge of all scouting related to the various French leagues since June. Is Yoann Godin under threat? Of the triumvirate that emerged in May 2025 to finally get Valenciennes off the ground, only he remains, now that Stéphane Moulin and Mathieu Frison have left. In his position as general manager of VAFC since November 2023, does Yoann Godin feel threatened? "My own position isn't the issue," he dismisses. "Today, I know I have the shareholder's confidence. Perhaps tomorrow I won't, but the only question that matters is, 'What are we doing together to get the club out of this rut?'" He doesn't speak of failure, while acknowledging the paramount importance of sporting results (and their volatile nature) in this environment. His role will not change because, he assures us, he has never interfered in the sporting side of things, which he leaves to others. “You often felt that Godin was taking up too much space, but I’ve always been humble enough to stay in my lane. I know what I can contribute, I know my strengths. It might be an issue for the shareholder, but honestly, I’ll always need someone by my side on these matters. I had Mathieu (Frison), with whom I had a good working relationship.” Now he’ll have to learn to work with Jean-Christophe Cesto and Johannes Spors. FLEURY – VALENCIENNES, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Robert-Bobin Stadium, Bondoufle. Unavailable: El Hadary, Passi (injured).

VAFC: It goes without saying, Pierre Blois will see out the season. No one at VAFC is saying anything, but everyone has known for quite some time that Pierre Blois and Rudy Mater will see out their mission in the National league. Everyone has known for a long time: VA has decided to entrust its National league team to the duo of Pierre Blois and Rudy Mater until the end of the season. They were promoted in February to replace Stéphane Moulin at short notice. Initially, it was only supposed to be a short interim arrangement. "There's the requirement for coaching qualifications (the BEPF is mandatory to coach in the National league, which neither of them has) which will force us to recruit. So, it will only be a temporary solution," assured Mathieu Frison, still in his role as sporting coordinator. Internal Change of Direction The internal change of direction has absolutely nothing to do with his recent departure. He is primarily focused on the excellent results achieved by the duo, under whose guidance the team is averaging two points per game, a pace befitting a promotion contender. Both are local products, perfectly embodying the image the club has been trying to project since Sport Republic took over. Pierre Blois has the profile of a modern coach, everything to please, except that he was unable to register for the next BEPF coaching certification session. While supporters are now openly dreaming of the duo's return next season, VA prefers to maintain a silence on the matter, clearly a sensitive issue given the €7,500 fine they are now incurring for each match. Before the match against Aubagne, Pierre Blois described to us how his contract was being extended week by week. "We debrief, we review the performance, it's not a formality." The issue resurfaced on Thursday: has he been appointed to remain in place until the end of the season? Rather than answer, the interim manager preferred to leave the decision to the club's management. This silence, in itself, amounted to confirmation. FLEURY – VALENCIENNES, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Robert-Bobin Stadium, Bondoufle.

Link of the match; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kis8zmA_WlU

News from Valenciennes. Following last Friday’s victory over FC Versailles, it’s been a somewhat turbulent week for VAFC with the announcement that sporting director Mathieu Frison is leaving. I think Sport Republic is quietly preparing us for next season. With SR’s aim to spend less and, above all, spend more wisely. A change in strategy that I hope will pay off next year. On the pitch, it’s match day for Valenciennes, who are away to FC Fleury 91, who beat us 2-0 in the first leg at the Stade du Hainaut. If they win tonight, Valenciennes will officially secure their place in Ligue 3 for next year. Even though, as of today, before tonight’s match, survival is 99% certain, we’ll need to pick up as many points as possible until the end of the season. Kick-off is at 7.30 pm French time. Have a lovely day, everyone!

Hello everyone, I hope you’re all well? Congratulations on last night’s win – it’s just amazing! But who can stop this incredible run? I can’t see anyone today, and you’re well on your way to the play-offs – or perhaps even further, who knows! No one would have bet a penny last December on the incredible work of Tonda, his staff and your players! Well done to you all! Today, here in Valenciennes, a surprise announcement was made on the club’s website less than an hour ago: the departure of Mathieu Frison, the sporting coordinator, who himself had replaced Ben Chorley. Here is the club’s statement: VAFC Press Release: Departure of Mathieu Frison VAFC announces the departure of its sporting coordinator, Mathieu Frison. The club would like to thank Mathieu Frison for his commitment and the work he has done during his time here. VAFC wishes him every success in his future career. Jean-Christophe Cesto will take over his role under the leadership of Johannes Spors, sporting director of the Sport Republic group and Southampton FC. I must admit it comes as a surprise, as nobody saw this departure coming. From now on, we’ll be managed on the sporting side by a stand-in and Mr Johannes Spors, who’s already with you, so that reassures me. We’ll see if this change pays off, but if we can get better players for next year, that would be a very good thing. Have a lovely day, friends.

Congratulations again my friend ! Let's go to the 18' ! ❤️🤍

Great result tonight !

Manning ! 🔥🔥❤️🤍

And 1 ! 🔥🔥 #COYR ❤️🤍

So, to summarise my trip: initially, going back to Southampton was a personal project; I came here with a friend two years ago and, having had a great time, I wanted to return. Originally, I was planning to stay from Friday to Saturday to watch the lads’ match against Ipswich Town on Good Friday and the girls’ match against Sheffield on Saturday lunchtime. In the end, I couldn’t make it to the girls’ match as I had to postpone my visit from Saturday to Sunday, but I was lucky enough to be there for the match against Arsenal. I arrived on Saturday morning – here’s the photo I shared with you – and went to the club shop. At 1 pm I went for a bite to eat at The Dell pub, then returned to my hotel to rest a bit before heading to the match. After the match, I went back to the hotel and rested until check-out at around 12 pm on Sunday. Out of curiosity, I wanted to visit the training ground, and I think the fact that I’d come from France and am from Valenciennes certainly helped me get a tour of the centre – nothing more, nothing less After the visit, I watched the U14 girls’ match on the artificial pitch, then headed back to Dover for the return journey to France. That’s it

I can see you’re trying to pick on things when you’ve actually run out of things to say about the player – it’s a real shame! (Yes, Pierre Blois and Rudy Mater are doing a great job, and that must really annoy you) Save your energy, my fellow countryman, to support our team and wish them all the best! And if you don’t like what’s happening in Valenciennes, there are two other clubs 45 and 70 km from Valenciennes that would be delighted to welcome you...

End of the match now. Valenciennes win 1-0 tonight 😍 Scorer: Samir Belloumou. Allez VA ! ❤️🤍

Ready for the game in Stade du Hainaut. Allez VA ! ❤️🤍