The secret had been known for a long time and the French Basketball Federation (FFBB) only confirmed it on Wednesday, September 25. Frédéric Fauthoux has been appointed director of the French men’s basketball team. “for the next Olympiad”“This is the first time that the French national team has been in charge of the French national team,” said the national technical director, Alain Contensoux, during a press conference at the federation’s headquarters in Paris. That is, until the end of the Olympic Games (OG) in Los Angeles in 2028. At 51 years old, the Landes coach has the difficult task of taking over from Vincent Collet, whose fifteen years in charge brought the Bleus eight medals: the best record in French basketball.
“I will do everything possible to ensure that the French national team remains at the highest level of world basketball”declared the new coach, aware that he will need “maintain and grow” HE “beautiful heritage” which was left to him by his predecessor. Silver medallists at the Paris Olympics – beaten in the final by the Americans (87-98) – Victor Wembanyama’s teammates seem to have a bright future, with the upcoming addition of the great hopes Zaccharie Risacher and Alexandre Sarr, respectively number one and two in the rankings. in the last NBA draft (a kind of scholarship for young players).
While several names have been floated to take over the bench of Les Bleus and their cohort of “prospect” talents (hopefuls), the choice of Frédéric Fauthoux was a no-brainer in the French basketball world. “Our priority was to hire a French coach, familiar with the international level, capable of supporting young players with high potential and with a strong bond with the French national team”describes the national technical director, Alain Contensoux. Before continuing: “Frédéric Fauthoux absolutely meets all these requirements.”
“It takes character to stand out among these giants”
At the helm of La Jeunesse laïque de Bourg-en-Bresse since 2022, where he has just extended his contract until 2027 and will therefore be working with a “double hat” – as Vincent Collet often does – the native of Horsarrieu in the Landes is the only French coach with high-level experience in Europe. Although he has never coached in the Euroleague, he led Bressans to the final of the Eurocup – the second continental competition – in 2023 (losing to Paris). The former leader of Elan Béarnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez (where he spent his entire career) and Les Bléus (42 caps) also had Victor Wembanyama under his command, when he was an assistant at Asvel Lyon-Villeurbanne.
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