“In Monaco, I failed to show my qualities”
Before the clash between the Red and Whites and Lyon, this Saturday (9 p.m.), asmonaco.com went to hear from Jérémy Berthod, who wore the jersey of both clubs. Interview.
He wore the Diagonale’s striking jersey for only one season, in 2007-2008. But it was above all under the colors of Olympique Lyonnais that Jérémy Berthod revealed himself to the general public, notably winning four French championship titles between 2004 and 2007. Before the match between his two former clubs, the full-back left returned to his career, his arrival at the Club, his memorable memories on the Rock but also his regrets for not having expressed his full potential. A lucid interview.
So I had two options: Paris or Monaco. But even as a child, I always liked Monaco, which is a very prestigious club. And with the squad that there was, I think Monaco could play at the top of the table and help me improve further.
Former AS Monaco defender
Hello Jeremy. We can say that your first relationship with AS Monaco was the fight for the title in 2004, which you won on the wire with OL. What memories do you have of this season?
At the time, it was two super interesting squads, two big teams, in particular the attacking sector of Monaco with Fernando Morientes, Ludovic Giuly and all the others that I don’t even need to mention. We were behind them all season and we managed to pass them at the end. But I think Monaco’s run to the Champions League final must have worn them down physically and mentally, which allowed us to overtake them. It had been a great fight between two very good teams.
Despite a significant delay in the rankings, have you always believed in this title?
We were up to ten points behind and we had taken 3-0 at the Stade Louis-II in the return match, with in particular a goal from the head of Fernando Morientes. After this match, it was tough, but in Lyon there was always this spirit of competition and we were used to managing a final sprint. We believed in it because we were reigning champions and we had experience of those moments.
After winning four league titles, you left OL in 2007. Why?
At Lyon, I stayed on two seasons where I hadn’t played much because I was in competition with Éric Abidal, who was perhaps the best left-back in the world at the time. I still had some playing time, I won titles and I trained with great players, but at some point I wanted to think about my personal career as well. There was the arrival of Fabio Grosso and Nadir Belhadj and I understood that I was not going to have what I wanted, so I asked to leave and the opportunity of Monaco presented itself.
Your arrival in Monaco then took place during a preparation stage…
That’s it, I was in pre-season training with OL in Tignes and I joined AS Monaco, which was training in Aix-les-Bains. Paul Le Guen, whom I had known in Lyon, was training PSG and had contacted me because Sylvain Armand might have to leave. So I had two options: Paris or Monaco. But even as a child, I always liked Monaco, which is a very prestigious club. And with the squad that there was, I think Monaco could play at the top of the table and help me improve further.
Despite the quality of the squad, you are having a complicated season and finish in 12and place. How do you explain it?
The season was even very disappointing in terms of the quality of the squad, with a lot of internationals. It didn’t work when there was cohesion in the team. It is often said that in Monaco there are above all individualities, but our human relations were interesting, I got on well with everyone. We did not have the results we expected because I think that individually, and me first, we were not at the expected level.
Norway ? There must have been fears at the start, but humanly, with my family, over an experience of three exceptional years. We discovered a new culture, we created strong friendships and in football I almost experienced a rebirth.
Former AS Monaco defender
Precisely, how do you judge your only Monegasque season?
I clearly did not live up to my expectations, those of the Club and the supporters. I came from OL, I was champion of France, I had a status and I did not manage to show my qualities, even if I was not given the time to do so. It was the first time I changed clubs and we think it’s easy, while there are a lot of things to manage on the side. I also came from Lyon and, although I am quite a humble person, maybe I thought it would be easy and I would settle down as number one. I took a slap. I couldn’t recover from it and I didn’t show my best. I am aware of it and it remains, with the descent into Ligue 2 with Auxerre, one of the biggest disappointments of my career.
Then you leave Monaco for AJA, with whom you have experienced highs, with a podium and the Champions League, but also lows with the descent into Ligue 2…
I’m leaving AS Monaco because I was told clearly that after the season that I had achieved, they weren’t really counting on me because other players were arriving or revealing themselves, which I fully understood. So I go to AJA where, out of four years, three are really very good. We play the top of the board, we finish 3and and we can almost play for the title a few days before the end in 2009-2010, we participate in the Champions League, but we end up going down to Ligue 2 after a nightmarish 2011-2012 season.
And finally you bounce back in Norway, in Sarpsborg, where you are one of the first French people to play. It must have been a great experience…
I was at the end of my contract at AJA and I didn’t have a sign from the leaders when I was very well there, my children were born in Auxerre and I wanted to bring the club back into the league. ‘elite. I found myself for four or five months without a club, training on my own and turning down some exotic tracks. I didn’t have an agent and maybe I didn’t manage to sell myself well, but in January I got a call about going to play in Norway. I went there for a week to see and it was more sporting and in terms of quality of life, so I signed up there.
And you didn’t regret it…
There must have been fears at the start, but humanly, with my family, over an experience of three exceptional years. We discovered a new culture, we created strong friendships and in football I almost experienced a rebirth. The first season, I was in the standard team of the championship, we managed to maintain ourselves when the club was used to doing the lift. In fact, I played there at the start of the development of the club, which today has a real stadium and has played the Europa League since.
What are you now?
After my football career, I took a breather and then I was a commentator for OLTV. Today, I am taking my coaching diplomas. I coached a little as amateurs, I was assistant to the national U17s of OL, and there I passed my DES (Higher State Diploma) which will allow me to train up to National 2. at this moment, I am the main coach of the Limonest reserve team, which evolves in R1 in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
How do you see Saturday’s match between Monaco and Lyon?
Even if I am from Lyon, I still follow the clubs I have been to. For OL, the victory against Marseille (2-1) was good but we must not get carried away because it is the regularity that is lacking in Lyon this season. They are capable of putting on a big performance and crashing behind. For Monaco, we must continue to climb the rankings. It is a match between two competitors for the European places which will be very interesting.