Bernard Goutta named Stade Montois manager

The club confirmed the appointment on Friday night, just after beating Bourgoin-Jallieu (29-25).

Bernard Goutta is back on a bench in Nationale, the French third tier. Stade Montois announced on Friday night the arrival of the former Agen and Carcassonne manager, who starts on Sunday 1 November. He left Carcassonne at the end of last season after the club’s relegation.

The goal: qualification

“We have a clear objective: to qualify and give ourselves the best chance of competing for promotion to Pro D2,” said president Jean-Robert Cazeaux. The club, also relegated last season, had lost three in a row before beating Bourgoin-Jallieu.

Stade Montois are provisionally sixth in Nationale on 24 points, 17 behind unbeaten leaders Massy. Chambéry have 36, Carcassonne 35, Albi 31 and Rouen 29. The top six qualify, and Périgueux, Bourgoin-Jallieu, Orléans and Suresnes are within reach.

More than the table at stake

Sud Ouest reports that the club would lose its professional status if it is not promoted in May. The newspaper also says the make-up of the future staff has not been detailed. Romain Mareuil had been head coach until now.

Goutta’s first test comes on Friday at Suresnes, eighth on 20 points.