Transfers. Top 14 – Fabian Gengenbacher, junior at the helm of Lou

No, Fabian Gengenbacher does not take offense at Fabian to say he is a rookie. We explain. The former opening halfback and half had only one experience as a sporting director, at Grenoble, the club where he spent most of his career. In 2017, the Albertville native announced the end of his playing career. Two years later he founded FCG. During the 2019/2020 season, Fabian Gingenbacher joined the staff of FC Isère and took charge of the kicking game. Only during the 2021 season did he become the sporting director of Grenoble. Making two seasons total as athletic director, that’s not huge, it has to be accepted. In parallel with his position at FCG, the former full-back joined a promotion at CDES (Centre for Sports Law and Economics) in Limoges to pass DU as general manager. So much for Fabian Gengenbacher’s coaching career that he will find himself at the helm of Low from July 13 to start preparing for a new season that is fast approaching.

What about Cheika and Gibbes?

When we know the biographies circulating on the desks of Lu’s leaders, the question “Why did you choose Fabian Gengenbacher?” Lawful. In a press release, the Lyon club president gave a first answer: “The image of Fabien sticks to the essence of LOU. His return to the club should allow us to continue our progress in an atmosphere that must combine efficiency, high standards, coherence and serenity”. But the fact remains that the most experienced coaches were applying to participate. We think in particular of Michael Chica. The Australian has coached Leinster (titled European Champion in 2009), Stade Français, Waratahs (winner in Super Rugby), Australia (winner of the Rugby Championship and finalist in the World Cup in 2015 against the All Blacks) and currently Argentina. The name Jono Gibbs was also in the works. He was strikers coach at Leinster and Clermont before becoming their manager a few years later. The New Zealander also took charge of Ulster and Rochela Stadium, which will take him to the Top 14 final in 2021.

On paper, these two guys had more experience, it’s a fact. But it is Fabian Gengenbacher who will take over at Lou next season. A choice undoubtedly guided by the good season he has just had with Grenoble, which has brought him to the Pro D2 final and in the top 14, by his proximity to the Rhône-Alpes region for many years or he still has qualities already present internally as confirmed by the captains the day after Xavier’s sacking Garpagosa. As expected, Lou’s chiefs took their time finding a new athletic director and there’s no doubt that this is a well-thought-out choice. It remains to be seen what the new sporting director of the victory-hungry pack will be able to…