Nîmes Olympique should normally begin preparations for the next season in the week of June 22. This 2020-2021 exercise will be the third consecutive for the Crocos in Ligue 1. In 1991, during its previous elite appearance, the Gard club had only stayed there for two years in a row. Last month, the definitive cessation of the 2019-2020 championship (suspended since mid-March) due to the health crisis, all of a sudden, clarified the future of NO, saved in favor of its 18th place, at the end of the 28th (and therefore final) day of the season.
“The decision of the Government and the national football authorities was the best possible solution; there were no others, for an obvious and essential reason, that is to say the health situation, recalls Jean-Jacques Bourdin, honorary president of the Gard club, which intervenes in particular with bodies (footballing, political, …) without interfering in a sporting field directed by Reda Hammache. We, the leaders of Nîmes Olympique, naturally complied with this decision.“Others, who feel aggrieved, are not resigned to it. An attitude that is variously appreciated in this context of crisis and extreme urgency.”I don’t have to judge others, cuts the radio man, emblematic host of Bourdin Direct sure RMC. I simply say that it is a wise decision.“
Wisdom is also a key word at Nîmes Olympique. “We are staying on a fairly difficult 2019-2020 fiscal year (the NO was relegated to the winter break, editor’s note), but it is logical, because for a promoted, the second season is always the hardest to negotiate, underlines Jean-Jacques Bourdin. Anyway, know that our club is very stable. It is wonderfully well managed by Rani Assaf. Today, in Ligue 1, it is one of the most financially sound clubs. In the current context of national football, which suffers a lot, it is very important. It is even fundamental. The proof, in recent times, in many clubs, presidents emit or have expressed the will to lower the wages of the players. Well, in Nîmes, we never asked our players to do it. As in all clubs, they were on partial unemployment, losing part of their salary, and we felt that was enough. In fact, if there is a club that we can give as an example on thoroughness and on the desire to perpetuate its global project and not to get in trouble, it is the Nîmes Olympique“Despite the economic crisis linked to the coronavirus pandemic.”The impact of such a situation affects all clubs, but since ours is well managed, this crisis is fully absorbed.“And it should not therefore slow down the projects led by the president, Rani Assaf.
“The NO has a vision of its development in the medium term, with maintenance in Ligue 1, and in the long term with in particular the construction of the new stadium (delivered in 2025, editor’s note), notes Jean-Jacques Bourdin. It is a wonderful prospect for the club, but also for the city and the region. It is an investment of between 200 and 250 M€ and a project that will provide work for thousands of people. In a very complicated economic period, it is unexpected. “At the same time, the NO will have to work to do everything possible to register in Ligue 1 over time.
“To achieve this, supports Jean-Jacques Bourdin, wes will rely on extremely rigorous management, on stable structures and staff. A football club is a spectacle business which must be managed as such. Without follies. Knowing what the revenues are and what the expenses are. In Nîmes, we do not manage the club solely on the player trading mode; we do it as a business should be. Our employees are protected. The players know that they will find stability in Nîmes Olympique, because it is a wise and serious club. Which does not prevent passion!“
Stability also requires the supervision of the professional group. However, the uncertainties relating to the current head coach, Bernard Blaquart could disturb the whole. “This is absolutely not the case, certifies Jean-Jacques Bourdin. This is a question that will be quickly resolved. In the meantime, the club is in working order. We scrupulously follow the prefectural health instructions. Nîmes Olympique is rigorous. It is perfectly well structured and organized. He is healthy. The proof, he finished his exercise with babynefarious. Today, it is undoubtedly one of the two or three most stable clubs in Ligue 1 and the players are very satisfied to evolve there, because they know that they have no problem. At NO, unlike other clubs, we are not worried about the rest. He needed durability and serenity; he found some with Rani Assaf who is involved with a lot of passion. There are many clubs that envy us!“
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