Even if he only stayed two years on the banks of the Eure (2011-2013), Manuel Abreu had marked the spirits when he was head coach of the late FC Chartres. Ten years later, and a career continued in amateur football, the 61-year-old technician leaves his place on the bench.
Manuel Abreu, what are the reasons for your stop?
A lack of energy. Since I have been a coach, I have lived my function 100%. To achieve this, I have to spend a lot of energy. I realized that I was no longer myself in recent weeks. There are many reasons, but above all it is a lack of energy. It is often said that in order to train you have to be lively. I pity my players over the last few weeks for having had Manuel Abreu as a coach ?! I was no longer what I wanted to be. I didn’t want to cheat, neither with the players, nor with the club and neither with myself.
This lack of energy is due to health problems ??
No, but the fatigue was there. It’s a set of factors. I think back to the first confinement. Reims Sainte-Anne (R1) was tied for first with Epernay when the championship ended. Epernay had one game less, and it was Epernay who moved up to N3. I can understand that but it was very frustrating. I had a very interesting group, which also had a good run in the Coupe de France by being eliminated by Montpellier (L1) in the round of 16 at the Auguste-Delaune stadium in Reims (0-1). I admit that I had trouble taking it. With this second confinement, I did not want to find myself in the same situation, to become an “official” of football.
With this second confinement, I did not want to find myself in the same situation, to become an “official” of football.
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You must have been amazed at all the reactions after your Facebook ad ??
Indeed, I had a lot of messages, from players, managers, colleagues. I think that the most important in sport in general, and football in particular, is above all the meetings and human adventures. Even when it didn’t go well, I always had good times with the people who crossed my path. I am above all in the human.
Coming from Chartres, you have received beautiful testimonials, too ??
Yes of course. I have always kept in touch with some of my former FCC players, I won’t say all of them either. And that, once again, is important. It is the memory that can be left in people’s hearts that is the most comforting.
Manuel Abreu: FC Chartres is “necessarily a club apart”
What sports memories do you keep from your time at the FCC?
I have some regrets, and unfortunately two eliminations in the Coupe de France, each time against US Orléans ?! I only wish good for FC Chartres, even though I know it has changed its name. I am, by far, the results and I hope they will succeed in climbing in the National.
He met JPP on the courts
Have you come across Jean-Pierre Papin, the current coach of C’Chartres?
Yes, not very often. I was more of a Ligue 2 player. We met in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France, when I was in Quimper, back and forth, in 1989 *.
And then, the side-back, that you were, defended on the center-forward of OM ??
JPP liked to shift left side and dive in the center to hit.
Are you taking a sabbatical year, a break to recharge your batteries, or is it really permanent?
I left to quit, but I’m also one of those who say “never say never” ?! Honestly, I really want to enjoy my family. With my wife, we have the goal of spending our retirement in the sun.
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What do you think are the two greatest feats in the history of French football?
Direction Portugal, your country of origin ??
Yes, we are going to look for something in the south of Portugal, in the Algarve, although I am from the north, from Fafe, 70 km from Porto. We go there mainly to find a very pleasant climate. It’s three hundred days of sunshine a year in the Algarve …
* OM eliminated the Stade Quimpérois in the round of 16 (4-1 and 0-0). JPP had scored two goals.
SA CARRIERE
Born January 8, 1959 in Fafe (Portugal). Defender and midfielder. Professional player : Red Star (1977-1978)?; Poissy (78-79)?; Reims (79-83)?; Paris SG (83-84)?; Nancy (84-86)?; Braga (Portugal/86-87)?; Quimper (87-90)?; Charleville (90-91)?; US Lusitanos St-Maur (91-93)?; Reims (93-96).
Coach: Reims (1996-2000) ?; Calais (01-02) ?; Sedan (18 years old and reserve / 02-07) ?; Sénart-Moissy (08-09) ?; St-Priest (10-11) ?; FC Chartres (11-13) ?; RC Paris (14-15) ?; St-Quentin (16-17) ?; Rouen (17-18) ?; Reims Ste-Anne (18-20) ?; Cormontreuil (20-October 20).
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Hervé Paraut
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