At the final whistle, Grégory Vignal falls into the arms of Alexandre Mulliez and Fabien Lazare, the owners of FC Versailles, then of Salomon Kashala (recruitment manager) and his staff. Appointed Tuesday in place of Laurent Peyrelade, the former pro defender (Lens, Liverpool) who played his first match as head coach after experiences at Glasgow Rangers (U18, pro staff, women’s manager), training at OM, Dundee FC (U23) made a brilliant debut from the bench.
After three games without a win (2 defeats, 1 draw) in the league and an elimination in the Coupe de France against Fleury (N2), Versailles crushed Nîmes (6-0). “We benefited from a favorable scenario but this victory is the fruit of the work of the players this week and their involvement,” says Vignal. I’m very happy but it’s only the beginning. »
“I have the players to play with four at the back”
The main change made by Grégory Vignal was the abandonment of the three-way defense, the subject of questions and disagreements during the Peyrelade era, for a 4-3-3 with Romain Basque as sentinel. “It’s my personal choice,” he admits. I think I have the players to play with 4 at the back and that was my feeling. In the end, I am very happy with this choice. But I’m not going to lock myself into a system. When you take over a team, when you have very little time, you have to focus on the essentials and define priorities. We already wanted to build the foundations, to have defensive solidity. Afterwards, as Gérard Houiller always said, the actors are the players. »
The scenario of the match quickly smiled on his team with the expulsion of Formose Mendy (ex-Red Star) who caught Jeremain Lens, in the position of last defender (10th). If Basque’s free kick is repelled, Mehdi Baaloudj resumes (1-0, 11th), then Lassana Diakhaby puts Versailles away (2-0, 19th). At ten, Nîmes even finds itself at nine after a second red following a small scuffle on the field (35th). On his bench, we saw Vignal, calming his assistants and substitutes on several occasions, with grand gestures.
“I will be able to return to Glasgow to reunite with my wife and children”
At eleven against nine, it inevitably became easier for Versailles who added a 3rd goal by Jeremain Lens (3-0, 41st). If Diakhaby, who had taken a yellow during the scuffle, is in turn expelled (65th), the magnificent sequence (4-0, 70th) of Baaloudj (double and now 5 goals this season) explodes Vignal who shares his joy with his deputies. The new Versailles coach will still be able to raise his arms very high, to the sky, after the goals from Nadje (5-0, 78th) and Prunier (6-0, 85th).
In Jean Bouin’s stands, there were several free coaches. But Grégory Vignal, who has the BEPF essential to coach in National, could extend his interim until the end of the season. In any case, he has the confidence of his management. “We have very good discussions, we know where we are going, we will continue to work and take the time to analyze all of that,” concludes Vignal. We’re going to go piano piano… But I’m very satisfied. I will be able to cut 24 hours and return to Glasgow tomorrow evening to meet my wife and children. It’ll feel good after this week… But I’m already thinking about the Epinal match (November 26 at Jean Bouin). »
Match sheet
VERSAILLES – NÎMES: 6-0 (3-0).
Goals. Baaloudj (11th, 70th) Diakhaby (19th), Lens (41st), Nadje (78th), Prunier (85th).
Evictions. Versailles: Diakhaby (61st); Nîmes: Mendy (10th), Labonne (35th).
Versailles: Renot – Leborgne, Jaques (cap.), Diakhaby, Altikulac – Mendes (Doku, 82nd), Basque, Nadje (Karamoko, 82nd) - Baaloudj (Bangoura, 82nd), Lens (Prunier, 55th), Hend (Gibaud, 64th). Enter. : Vignal.
