Will the scathing setback in Lille (0-4) on Sunday be one too many? Will Pascal Gastien, the architect of the Clermont project for almost seven years, resist his team’s 14th defeat this season in L1? These questions, unimaginable not long ago, are now being asked by the leaders of Clermont Foot. The lack of reaction from the players to LOSC left a lasting impression internally. And fueled doubts around the ability of this group, 18th and last in L1 (15 points), to manage to maintain its position for a third time in a row.
For several days, a global reflection has been carried out by the managers around the best way for the club to maximize its chances of maintaining. In this context, nothing is ruled out. Not even the departure of Pascal Gastien (60 years old) from his position as coach. If he did not come to see his managers to inform them of any weariness, the technician, emblematic figure of the Clermontois project, did not hide his desire not to extend, beyond this season, his coach lease.
A future Gérard Houllier?
Can this departure from the bench – club president Ahmet Schaefer then intends to offer him an advisory role comparable to that, a few years ago, of Gérard Houllier in Lyon – be anticipated? And intervene quickly? That’s what’s at stake for the next few days.
Officially, the question of Gastien’s departure does not arise, explains those around the Auvergne club. The CF63 did not contact other technicians to replace its trainer. “It’s making noise for nothing,” we say in recent hours. Having started, will this reflection come to fruition quickly or can it be fueled by the club’s next results? In the next four matches, Clermont faces Brest, Rennes, Nice and Marseille.
