Rani Assaf, president of Nîmes Olympique: “We have a lot of water at La Bastide, but no oil”

The Ligue 2 season has just ended. The Nîmes Crocodiles finished ninth in the championship, with 49 points. For the balance sheet but also to look at the future in the short, medium and long term, Rani Assaf chose France Bleu Gard Lozère this Wednesday. The president of Nîmes Olympique is theguest of the 100% Club Croco Show, between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., hosted by Marie-Eve Tomasini. Sports report, transfer window, future of the club, new stadium, relations with supporters, or even long-term project, Rani Assaf will respond live to FBGL listeners. “I’m lucky in my life to be at a level where I only do what I love. Yes I like Nîmes, yes I like the club. And at some point, you have to stop questioning it.“

“Society has evolved. Terms that you and I used, me first (Editor’s note: certain “songs” of supporters), we can no longer use them.”

“Today, globally in football, we cannot renew our audience,” he acknowledges.

The president of Nîmes Olympique was questioned about the “heritage” that the club represents. “They come to reproach me: “the club is gloomy, has never been in such bad shape sportingly”. But we have the best results of the club for thirty years. I looked at the Bastide, we have water, lots of water, but no oil”. Passion, are you impervious to it? “No, but I don’t show it. I am discreet. Including on my private life. I prefer that we talk about the club than about me.”

“Passion must not burn the club. A president must reason.”

On the summer transfer window, Rani Assaf in particular revealed that the club was currently doing its utmost to bring back Nicolas Bénezet in Nimes. “We are working on it. It’s a very, very, very high priority.“. The striker, 31, has been in Major League Soccer (North America) since July 2020. Trained in Nîmes, he has already defended the colors of the Crocos in pros from 2010 to 2013 (19 goals).

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