Yesterday, Canvas showed the second episode of the documentary “Raymond Goethals: magic in Marseille”, which focused on his greatest triumph: the victory in the European Cup I. Current French national coach Didier Deschamps, among others, was full of praise for the Belgian trainer.
Deschaps: “Enriching conversations with Goethals”
Didier Deschamps was one of the key pawns in the success team of Olympique Marseille. The current French national coach has learned a lot from Raymond Goethals as a trainer.
“The players listen to him and respected him. That was not the case with many other Marseille trainers. But Raymond Goethals could of course show a lot of experience,” recalls Deschamps.
Deschamps had a good relationship with Goethals. “We talked a lot. He thought that was great and it was also very enriching. For me it was a passion and conversations like this always teach you something. You learn things and you get smarter.”
“I remembered the good things and took advantage of them afterwards. I did not copy what he did, because the approach from then would no longer work. You have to adapt to the new generation. But the goal is the same : a strong team that takes titles.”
“Cunning Goethals made Tapie believe he was drafting the squad”
Raymond Goethals had the strong chairman Bernard Tapie above him at Marseille, but the two got along well. Goethals also knew how to play Tapie excellently, the protagonists of the time recall.
“Tapie often interfered with the line-up,” recalls former defender Eric Di Meco. “He wanted the team on the field to be his team.”
“But Raymond Goethals was the smartest. His cunning was one of his greatest qualities. He always knew how to compose his own team while Tapie thought he had made it himself. He was one of the few who could face Tapie. “
“Winning the European Cup was his life goal”
On May 26, 1993, Raymond Goethals realized his ultimate dream: to win the European Cup I – the predecessor of the Champions League. Marseille defeated Milan in the final in Munich.
“Raymond had reached the top with that,” said then Marseille manager Jean-Pierre Bernès. “The three of us stood there: Tapie, Goethals and I. All three crying, Raymond too. To make him cry… just try it.”
Basile Boli, who decided the final with a good header, cherishes a moment after the game. “Raymond was sitting alone on the bench and I sat down next to him. He said we had just made French football history.”
“In fact, he wanted to say that he had reached his life goal. I will never forget that moment. It was exceptional. I cherish it. When I think of Raymond, I think of that moment.”
