the TFC by Robert Pintenat

The TFC de Pintenat, four seasons, from 1979 to 1983, was that of the bitter games of the second division and the intoxication of the accession to the first after several failures on the wire. It was also the time when this center forward made his name in the history of the club by becoming its top scorer with 83 goals for 140 games. The international striker (three selections), who played for a long time at Sochaux, therefore landed in Toulouse in 1979 from Nancy. Another important arrival: that of trainer Pierre Cahuzac who shone with Bastia. In addition, US Toulouse becomes TFC, as if to mark its new ambition: to reach the elite within three years, as announced by the coach. Despite the slaughter of Pintenat, nicknamed “Golden Head”, top scorer in the championship, Toulouse finished in sixth place.

The following season, Belgian international Van Binst took command of the defense. In front, Jean Diaz and Léon Maier feed Pintenat. The promising Jean-Luc Sassus is taking his first steps. The TFC accesses the dams and faces Tours where another legendary striker officiates: the Argentine Delio Onnis. This is the executioner of Toulouse beaten 1-0 away and held in check two goals throughout the Stadium. Tours saves his place in the first division and the disappointment is cruel for the Violets.

Before the golden age

In the summer of 1981, Toulouse received the reinforcement of an international star, the Batavian winger Rob Rensenbrink, two-time World Cup finalists in 1974 and 1978. The young Stéphane d’Angelo shone in the goals before which Lazlo watched. Balint. In the middle, Raymond Camus and Jean-Pierre Laverny put on the warm blue while Krimau takes care of the artistic side. And in attack, the stainless Pintenat connects the goals. The TFC finally finds the elite. His center-forward is so impressive that we are talking about a possible return of the 34-year-old veteran to the Blues who are preparing to play in the World Cup in Spain. The fairy tale will not take place.

Welcome to the first division. The TFC offers itself a prestigious recruitment including two globalists (Christian Lopez and Gérard Soler), midfielders Georges Van Straelen and Karoly Csapo (who played in the World Cup with Hungary) and striker Jean-Marc Ferratge. During this 1982-1983 season, the young Jean-Philippe Durand made a place for himself in the middle. The TFC obtains a very honorable eleventh place in the standings. For Robert Pintenat, despite his 24 goals in the league, the time has come to hang up. The player made a last freelance in the fourth division in Avignon then became a trainer.

It is therefore without him that the Toulouse club will experience its “golden age” (fourth in 85-86, third in 86-87). It was the Marcico years marked by the elimination of Napoli from Maradona. Robert Pintenat died in 2008 at the age of sixty.

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