Before the French team won the 1998 World Cup, the criticisms of Aimé Jacquet were numerous. Particularly targeted by The teamthe one who was then tricolor coach remained straight in his boots, convinced to go in the right direction. And history has proved him right. Forever the first, his players are still grateful to him. Bixente Lizarazu has still paid tribute to him.
World champion under the orders of the native of Sail-sous-Couzan, the former left side of the Blues mentioned it during an interview with the Podcast “Winning Minds” broadcast this Sunday. And he did it right after talking about the very complicated moments that he had lived a year before the competition, with a pubalgia and a departure from the Athlétic Bilbao for Bayern Munich.
“I was ready for this World Cup. I was 100%. Aimé Jacquet was someone very important for me because he always trusted me, he accompanied me, we discussed a few months before. He said to me: 'Don't worry. Train yourself, do the care you need. I'm sure you're going to find 100% and you will be my left back '. These are little words … Even if the motivation was huge, I didn't need that. But to have that in addition, it gives you a boost. »»
France 98, a wonderful adventure
Aimé Jacquet's lyrics pushed Bixente Lizarazu even more in his quest for a place with the Blues to be present at the time of the World Cup. “This is what is also fabulous in the relationship with a coach. You feel this confidence, you want to give it back. When I got to preparing the World Cup, I noted my personal challenge and given back to Aimé Jacquet the confidence he had given me. And the adventure was wonderful. »»
The one is now a consultant for TF1 has drawn up a final assessment of the players' relationship with their coach:
“Everyone gave Aimé Jacquet the best of himself and it was a wonderful adventure. »» If Aimé Jacquet chose to withdraw just after the world title, Bixente Lizarazu is still a few years old with the Blues, participating in a second consecutive coronation, this time obtained during Euro 2000.
