The cabin may not have collapsed on the dog yet, but the Nice oval seems to be sinking, week after week, into a quagmire that is very likely to be fatal. Doubts about the new investors’ ability to meet budgetary requirements are among the reasons placing RNCA on hold just before hosting the group leader, Bourg en Bresse, this Sunday at Arboras.
In our previous article, we mentioned Marc-André Doumergue, the general manager of the 2010-11 season, as one of the main targets of criticism from the new management team.
Marc-André Doumergue has now reacted and offered his perspective on the current situation. Nice Premium gladly gave him the floor…
Nice Premium: Marc-André Domergue, what would be the solutions today to avoid the worst for Rugby Nice Côte d’Azur?
Marc-André Domergue: At the beginning of June 2011, solutions existed, the sports recruitment was completed (without committing the club through new contracts and by making a forecast of 1.7 million euros, which is a 20% budget reduction) continuing the work done over the past 4 years, delivering the best results in the club’s young history each season.
National specialists in this division even considered it a favorite for promotion…
NP: The previous management team, and you in particular, have been heavily criticized. We know about the poor relations you have with some key figures of the current Board of Directors. What do you say to this?
MAD: First, which management team are we talking about? The one, under my direction, that restored to President Baldacchino a healthy and well-managed club (according to the general inspection of services of the city of Nice) and obviously sparked much envy, which was not the case when I took office.
Or are we talking about the short-lived team that, in 4 months, managed to blow up the budget by committing the club to 2.2 million euros without the first cent…
Basically, it’s the usual fate of inexperienced new leaders who take office and realize that being in power is tough. That said, it could almost be funny if the situation weren’t so serious for our sport and our region!
NP: The situation is serious but, in your opinion, is it desperate?
MAD: It’s certain that the situation is serious, is it desperate? I don’t know, but it must be acknowledged that since our deputy for sports took care of the Rugby file, since May 2011, we’ve experienced a real positive upswing… not to mention his choice to support Mr. Philippe Deffins instead of another local investor, head of a booming and healthy company which, unfortunately, is not the case for the first one.
This is a perfect reflection of indecisive decision-making at the municipal level…but when listening to certain eminent advisors, it’s difficult to make the right decision.
NP: Finally, apart from money, what does RNCA lack to hope for the Pro D2 and one day the Top 14 as Mr. Mayor would like to best take advantage of the future Grand Stade?
MAD: It’s easier to say what’s wrong than the opposite. However, the prerequisites for sporting success here are summed up in 4 simple points:
- That the old glories who have never known professional rugby and are complicit in the death of the late Racing leave the club management to those who are capable.
- That the supervisory authorities become coherent and clear-headed again and resume working for the public good through the success of our sport.
- That everyone who loves rugby sits at the common table, and without misplaced ego or unhealthy ambition, contributes to building the club!
- Finally, that those who have or will have the responsibility of the club are capable of rallying the department’s economic forces around a true project for Azur rugby.
