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Pau effectively sack their head coaches mid-season
By Ian Cameron
Pau have become the second French club to sack their head coaches mid-season in as many months after a string of losses in the Top 14.
The club have not technically parted ways with Nicolas Godignon and Frédéric Manca, rather, they will 'take a step back' from the team. Thomas Domingo, Geoffrey Lanne-Petit and Paul Tito will take over the preparation of the team as they prepare to face Worcester Warriors in the Challenge Cup.
Pau lost 13 - 17 to Castres at home, prompting the effective sacking of the pair.
In a statement, the club said: "Following the defeat against Castres Olympique last Sunday, the Section decided to reorganize its sports staff.
"Co-managers Nicolas Godignon and Frédéric Manca take a step back and will not participate in the preparation of the matches.
"The preparation and supervision of Saturday's Section-Worcester Challenge Cup match will be provided by the trio of coaches Thomas Domingo, Geoffrey Lanne-Petit and Paul Tito.
"No other comments will be made on the subject by the club and its players for the moment, it is time to mobilize around the athlete to find a positive dynamic."
The club had made a decent start to the season, with three wins and a draw from their first five games. Pau are the latest French club to take the measure this season, with Agen sacking their coaching ticket.
Manager Christophe Laussucq and forwards coach Rémi Vaquin were sacked, seemingly at the behest of club president Jean-François Fonteneau after they fell to a humiliating 5-71 defeat. It was the seventh loss in a row for the club.
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Latest Comments
The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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