He is for many the coach who allowed OM to find his superb in the 2000s. On the Marseille bench from September 2007 to May 2009, Eric Gerets was able to lead the Olympians to two podiums, missing the title of nothing in 2009 against the Girondins de Bordeaux, while his team was enthroned on the elite two days before the end of the season.
In cold then with the majority shareholder Robert Louis-Dreyfus-who will die a few months later-the Belgian technician will leave OM in the spring despite the unwavering support of supporters. His successor Didier Deschamps having been able to take advantage of his inheritance to allow the Phocaeans to finally reconnect with the title of champion of France, a year later.
On the eve of his 71 years, and while he courageously battles from a brain hemorrhage that failed to win in 2012, the one nicknamed the “Rekem lion” was festivities on Friday at the Vélodrome for the 125e OM anniversary. Not without emotion. “” I am so happy to come back to greet the publiche confided earlier in the week to Provence. Last year, Mamadou Niang and Djibril Cisse were waiting for me at the hotel to welcome me (He had been invited by the club then to attend the classic against Paris). I assure you that I had chills, real chills. Just at the idea of reviewing many of my former players, I still have it. It is an indescribable pleasure. Returning here is like getting home, even if I only spent two years in Marseille. »»
Gerets, overwhelming reunion
After having received the tribute he deserved in front of the Marseille audience, Eric Gerets was able to appreciate his reunion with two of his former protégés: Bruno Cheyrou and Taye Taiwo. A scene immortalized by the club with a sky and white jersey. “” What a pleasure to see you Coach “, Dixit the first, in a sincere embrace with the former Red Devil. And the latter to greet the second by an overwhelming cry of the heart: ” My son ! I missed you … »»
Before this memorable evening, Eric Gerets had not hidden his intense emotion already. “” I try to hang on, there are ups and downs, but no more stockings, I must admit. But I'm alive and I come to Marseille on Friday! I have one thing to say to OM supporters: I love you! When the club called me and I saw the list of players I was going to find, I almost cried. Apart from Niang and Cissé, I haven't seen any. Reviewing them for the first time in sixteen years, it's amazing…
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