News
Biarritz ditch coach Delmas
November 26 2008
Crisis-stricken French giants Biarritz have taken another bold step as they attempt to turn their flailing fortunes around: Coach Jacques Delmas has been shown the door.
He will be replaced by former Biarritz hooker Jean-Michel Gonzalez, who will join Jack Isaac at the helm of the Basque club.
Languishing in eighth place in the Top 14 and with Stade Français next up, the former French champions are in trouble.
After the resignation of manager George Darrieumerlou (who was replaced by Laurent Rodriguez), it's the turn of forwards/Co-Head Coach Delmas to be given his marching orders. Darrieumerlou left the club as a result of his deteriorating relationship with Delmas
BO crashed to their sixth loss in ten starts last Saturday - away to Toulon - and it was only an matter of time before heads started to roll at one of France's richest clubs.
With Biarritz continuing on their slippery downward slope, which started at the end of a golden era that included three French championship titles (in 2002, 2005 and 2006), club president Serge Blanco has once again swung his axe as Delmas joins former coach Patrice Lagisquet on the scrapheap.
Delmas was Lagisquet's assistant for the last two of those titles after joining the coaching staff in 2004.
"After an analysis of the state of affairs of its professional rugby team and reflection conducted with all those involved, the BOPB Management Committee has decided to relieve Mr. Jacques Delmas of his coaching role including the training camp this week," read a statement from the club following a meeting which included a group of senior players.
Another statement on Thursday confirmed the arrival of 35-Test-Cap Gonzalez, who take over the forwards coach role while Isaac retains the management's confidence as backs coach.
Later in the day Rodriguez was at pains to point out that Delmas has been "suspended" and not fired. But given the fact that his replacement has already been appointed, the terminology involved seems irrelevant.
The team are conducting a training camp behind closed doors at Hendaye in order to prepare for the arrival of their Parisian rivals in "calm". Easier said than done.