On the other end of the line, the voice is tinged with emotion. Luis Fernandez is deeply touched by the disappearance of Jean-Louis Gasset, his assistant at PSG then at Espanyol Barcelona between 2001 and 2003. An intense experience which began in Montpellier thanks to Louis Nicollin.
How did you feel when you learned of the disappearance of Jean-Louis Gasset?
LUIS FERNANDEZ. I feel a deep sadness… We shared so many moments with Jean-Louis, he was an excellent assistant, he helped me a lot. Many images rise to the surface. It’s sad.
How did your collaboration come about?
It was Louis Nicollin who put us in contact. Me, I have always had a very special relationship with Montpellier because “Loulou” always did everything for me to sign there. He was from Lyon like me, we adored each other. Bernard Gasset, Jean-Louis’ father, had created the club with Loulou who asked me to take Jean-Louis with me. We knew each other because we were practically from the same generation, but it was really thanks to Louis Nicollin that we worked together.
“When we spend so much time together, so intensely, we love each other”
How did you distribute roles in the field? ?
Jean-Louis did his job as assistant, he was at my side to prepare the sessions and lead them. Both of us talked a lot with the players. When I returned to Paris, Pierre Alonzo was my deputy. But he was tired, so he took a step back. And I took Jean-Louis (in 2001). He adapted very quickly.
He then followed you to Espanyol Barcelona…
Yes, we had a wonderful six months there, saving the club from relegation. He didn’t speak Spanish very well, but there’s something magical about football that we can very quickly speak the same language.
How would you define your relationship?
When we spend so much time together, so intensely, we love each other. Jean-Louis was my friend, we really made a good team. Afterwards, he decided to join Laurent Blanc. It was also the Montpellier connection.
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