Perpignan on the brink: Coach Azéma fired after 8 bankruptcies!

Perpignan on the brink: Coach Azéma fired after 8 bankruptcies!

After a catastrophic series of defeats, USAP Perpignan has pulled the ripcord. Coach Franck Azéma was relieved of his duties after the eighth consecutive defeat, which ended against Montauban 22:29. The club officially confirmed the decision on October 27th, which left a bad aftertaste in the history of the Top 14. It is the worst start to the season so far and the team finds itself at the bottom of the table with no points.

The coach's dismissal came as no surprise. The situation has already seemed tense recently, both on and off the pitch. Azéma, who has been in office as head coach since 2023 and whose contract runs until 2028, had the great challenge of leading a team that started the season so poorly for the first time in the history of the Top 14. To make matters worse, he had recently initiated discussions with the club management about his possible dismissal and offered to vacate his position early. However, this was only decided after the depressing defeat against Montauban, which cast a shadow over the entire season.

Unexplained grievances and player frustration

The Perpignan players are affected by the current situation. After the game, Tommaso Allan, the key Italian player, spoke of a “palpable disaster” and had clear words about discipline, as the team received three yellow cards in the game. A fact that is considered decisive for the defeat. The frustration was also felt by the fans, who threw flags onto the field after the game to express their dissatisfaction.

It is obvious that the negative spiral is not only affecting the team, but also the loyal supporters. A meeting between fans and club management is being sought to discuss possible boycott measures against the current situation. It is not clear what the next step will be, but the dissatisfaction is palpable.

The view of Azéma

The club has initially entrusted the existing coaching team, led by Mathieu Cidre, with preparing for the next game against Pau. The name Laurent Labit is already being discussed as a possible successor to Azéma, but it remains to be seen who will ultimately lead the fortunes of the USAP.

In order to avoid relegation from the top 14, solutions are urgently needed. Perpignan is already 18 points behind the first non-relegation spot. If the current situation does not improve quickly, the team could have to look back on the coming season in a lower league. Unforeseen injuries and incidents, including a scandalous incident in which spectators threw beer on players, are taking their toll on the club's reputation.

The pressure is weighing heavily on the shoulders of the remaining coaches as time runs against them. A schedule with no fewer than eight defeats in a row leaves little room for mistakes. The next few games will be crucial as to whether Perpignan can maintain its defiant fighting spirit or be forced to throw in the towel for the season as a last resort.

To gain even deeper insights into the league's statistics and general rankings, Rugby Pass offers comprehensive data collection. Here too it is clear: Perpignan is under pressure, all kinds of feeling are needed now.

All that remains to be seen is the latest developments in USAP's profile and perhaps a glimmer of hope for new directions.

For more information you can visit the article ladepeche.fr and actu.fr visit. You can also find a comprehensive overview of the current statistics at rugbypass.com.