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 So farewell then, Marc Lievremont. As his madcap term in charge of the French national team ended with World Cup final defeat to the All Blacks, we retrace his four-year rollercoaster reign through the honest, bizarre, obscure but always entertaining words of the man himself...
On his appointment as French coach in October 2007:
At the beginning I was very surprised, like many people are today. I know that people will be asking themselves about my lack of experience, of maturity, and of achievement.
I never had this type of ambition, but that doesn't mean that I don't have knowledge about the game or player management. I will work with energy, strength and determination.
I'm fully aware that I'm at the centre of many people's expectations and hopes, and I also understand certain people's disappointment, merited or not.
I didn't ask anything from anyone. I respect all the coaches who could have got this job, but it's not up to me to justify things.
On Mark Regan after England's 24-13 win at Stade de France in 2008:
He was ridiculous and grotesque. His behaviour is offensive and against the rules. He is a clown.
Defending his constantly changing team during his first Six Nations campaign, March 2008:
There is a lack of continuity but the players are being kept on their toes for every game and they all want to prove their worth.
On the influx of foreign players into French rugby, January 2009:
As coach of France, I am directly concerned by the problem. The quality of our game is suffering because in certain key positions it is becoming increasingly difficult to find players of quality. Having the odd international star in the Top 14 is a great thing, especially for the shop-window of French rugby. But it has gone too far, because in some French clubs we are now seeing some team lists with up to 80 or 90% foreigners.
We have a mediocre championship, and games of a mediocre quality. Consequently, unlike their counterparts in the Southern Hemisphere, our players are not used to playing high-intensity rugby for 80 minutes. Often we can see that we are competitive enough, because we still have a few good players, but we only last 50 or 60 minutes before we explode. Simply because French players are not used to playing at the highest level.
An under-pressure Lievremont snaps at the press, who questioned his selection of the inexperienced Morgan Parra and Benoit Baby at half-back before the crucial 2009 Six Nations clash with France in Paris (they won):
Well, listen, if we win we'll be right, and if we lose you can say that we are incompetent and pass us off as idiots - what do you want me to say?
His thoughts on l'affair Bastareaud, when Mathieu Bastareaud claimed to have been beaten up on the 2009 summer tour of New Zealand before it emerged that the centre had injured himself in a drunken altercation with some bedroom furniture:
It's good that he has [apologised]. It's come too late for him to be considered for selection for the autumn Tests but as far as I'm concerned he has a chance of being in the squad for the tournament.
In the best case scenario I would have liked his club president, or the federation, to make him face the media very early on. If that had been done there's a good chance we would no longer be speaking about this issue now.
Interviewed before the 2010 Six Nations, after he'd used 70 players in his first 24 matches as coach:
We are no longer experimenting! I admit that was the case in our first Six Nations tournament, but we have moved on since then. For some time now, we have been working at finding the right balance in our game. By being more pragmatic, but at the same time playing a la francaise, retaining what we see as the identity of the French game.
The thing with French rugby is that, on our day, we can beat any team in the world. Sure, but on our day, we can also lose to any team in the world.
Just because we are capable of playing a complete style of game, doesn't mean that from time to time we won't be a little more restrictive.
After France's Six Nations Grand Slam in March 2010:
It is a very nice baby even if the birth was quite difficult.
Responding to anonymous criticism of Mathieu Bastareaud:
I would just like to send a message to these people, these people (who) don't have the courage to sign their names (and who are) sending me letters concerning the fact that Mathieu Bastareaud does not sing the national anthem. I would like to say to them that it's not because he doesn't sing the national anthem and that he's black that (it means) he doesn't feel French.
After France's 59-16 hammering by Australia in November 2010:
We can't explain how we collapsed mentally and physically, individually and collectively in the last 30 minutes of the game. I think it's just impossible to explain the inexplicable.
We need to strike a balance between the very good results at the start of 2010 and the disaster against Australia. We need to learn those lessons. It is not that everything is pink and everything is black.
Before the 2011 Six Nations championship:
I have had enough of the commonly presented image of me being a young man with old-fashioned values; a nice guy but ultimately incompetent. Personally, I truly believe that I have the ability of an international coach.
February 2011, Before France's Six Nations match with England at Twickenham:
We don’t like them and it’s better to say that than be hypocritical. We have a bit of trouble with the English. We respect them – well in my case at least I respect them. But you couldn’t say we have the slightest thing in common with them.
We appreciate our Italian cousins with whom we share the same quality of life. We appreciate the Celts and their conviviality and then among all these nations we have one huge thing in common. We all don’t like the English! We beat Ireland yet left Dublin with the encouragement of all the Irish who said ‘for pity’s sake, beat the English’. With the Scots, it’s the same thing. It is also what gives you strength against the English, more than just because of rugby. This insular country, who always drape themselves in the national flag, their hymns, their chants, their traditions. They are people who one regards as a very proud people.
And after losing to England:
I'm disappointed because we could have won, but as Mr Winston Churchill said, success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.
March 2011, after France's 22-21 loss to Italy:
Do I feel responsible for that? No, they betrayed us, they have betrayed me and they have betrayed the French national team shirt. Do you really think I told them to play as they did against Italy? I was ashamed. I do not have the impression we asked them to walk on the moon — I do not ask for complicated things. The players are lacking in courage. They are good guys, but cursed with what is obviously cowardice. They are not even capable of admitting their own mistakes.
I had promised a few players they would play in the World Cup, but it was one defeat too many, we’re back to square one. There is a certain form of cowardice. When I speak with them, nothing happens.
Before the 2011 Rugby World Cup, on his image in the media:
In the festivals of Bayonne, I can drink twenty beers but I have to remain under control, I hide a little.
In August 2011, after the announcement that Philippe Saint-André would succeed Lievremont after the World Cup:
Certain people believe that the announcement of my successor could erode my authority and affect the France team's campaign. I really don't see that happening.
When asked by a journalist whether France could still win the World Cup after their pool match defeat by New Zealand:
Go to hell with your question! Your question gives me the shits. We just shipped forty points. I really regret the detestable atmosphere that we have at these press conferences.
After RWC defeat to Tonga:
French rugby and players laughed at the French football players last year. But in some respect, we didn't get off the bus either.
This qualification gives me a bitter taste. Pride, pride, solidarity, sincerity, these are words that speak to me. We'll have to talk about it among ourselves. I hope the words I say to the players still mean something.
And after the same team had beaten England a week later:
Yesterday we had the same players out there as in Wellington against Tonga, except that they grew a big pair of balls.
On that moustache:
As usual it's the subject of a silly bet with my favourite Englishman , [France defence quote] David Ellis.
October 2011, after France's RWC semi-final win over Wales:
They have been amazingly brave but the French team might have a good guardian angel.
...The next morning:
I went to bed in a bad mood because I'd asked the players not to go out, and I found out a few of them had gone out.
I told them what I thought of them - that they're a bunch of undisciplined spoilt brats, disobedient, sometimes selfish, always complaining, always whining. It's been like this for four years. The problem is we are not world champions yet and we just qualified for the final. This reminds me of 1999 when there were four days of celebration for the semi-final.
...And three days later:
When I saw the words in print, I realised that I ought to have kept my big, fat gob shut. It was done to put pressure on them. They’re real pains but they’re lovable. I am not here to be their friend but to lead them to the end. Now we need solidarity and aggression.
After France's 8-7 World Cup final defeat to New Zealand:
I want to thank [the players]. It was one-way traffic in the second half and we lost by the smallest of margins. The players made promises to themselves and they kept them.
And at his final press conference 24 hours later:
I didn't have to come as my duties were completed [on Sunday] but I was afraid that you would be missing me and I wanted to make the most of these last moments together.
I can assure you that you will not hear or see much of me in the days ahead. I'll leave it to you and the many consultants who give their opinion on my team, how pathetic this team has managed to shake the All Blacks on their land for 80 minutes.
It is very difficult compare generations and achievements, but this French team's performance is perhaps the most beautiful of all time, except that they lost.
I have great admiration for my players and I hope in the coming weeks they will feel the same way about me.
I heard a lot about the team's self-management. I don't want to claim responsibility for the performance - especially since we lost.
At no time did I regret having accepted this position. Today less than ever. I also know that with the benefit of time and memory being selective, I will keep the best of this experience. I am already quite emotional about I've gone through over the last four years. I certainly learned things about myself, about others. But to coach France for four years is not an end. It was a nice interlude. It is time to move on.
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