It was expected, but it is now official. Vincent Collet is no longer the coach of the French men’s basketball team. After more than fifteen years at the helm of the ‘Bleus’, the 61-year-old coach, whose contract was about to expire, was not re-appointed.
“We have decided in agreement with Vincent that he will no longer be the coach of the French national team”“This is a very important moment for the French Basketball Federation (FFBB),” said Jean-Pierre Siutat, president of the French Basketball Federation (FFBB), during a press conference held in Paris on Monday, September 9.
In fact, the matter had not been a secret for several weeks. But it was not until the day after the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games that it became official. After the silver medal won at the Olympic Games a few weeks earlier, Vincent Collet had suggested that this collaboration could end. “I usually finish”the coach declared after the defeat in the final against the United States (98-87), on August 10.
“These fifteen years have been a great privilege for me.then the coach added.. I had the chance to experience emotions like those of this afternoon and to win medals with this French team, to be European champion in 2013, to be in the Olympic final twice and to finish. I am happy about all this. » Words that sounded like a farewell.
Holder of all records
He arrived in 2009, replacing his predecessor, Michel Gomez, and won everything with the national team. A total of eight medals, including two Olympic silver medals in Tokyo and Paris. The coach also led the ‘Bleus’ to the European championship title in 2013, won against Spain, the only trophy missing from the team’s list of achievements. Personally, Vincent Collet holds the record for the most games (253) and victories (179) in charge of the French team.
And if the adventure ends with a new podium, the 2024 Olympic tournament got off to a bad start, starting with a series of four defeats in preparation before a chaotic group stage, concluded with a thrashing by Germany (85-71). The Blues then bounced back.
“Vincent has the gift of galvanizing the group. (…) It’s his win tonight, for him and his staff, clearly.”supported winger Nicolas Batum after the final against Team USA, before paying tribute to the “best French coach in history”.
Although his departure has been confirmed, no name has yet been announced to replace him. Vincent Collet, for his part, will remain within the FFBB and will occupy the position of special advisor to the national technical direction of the organisation. He will be responsible for transmitting his “experience in the field of technical training of players and coaches”said Director of National Statistics Alain Contensoux.
