2023-10-15 04:37:46
“The King is back!” “. Éric Cantona returned to the club from his beginnings this Saturday morning, and he was in the spotlight. AJ Auxerre renamed the football hall of its training center with the name of the “King”, who trained at the club in the early 1980s before achieving glory.
The ceremony was organized in the presence of the emblematic former coach Guy Roux, the executive president of the AJA Baptiste Malherbe, the former head of the training center Daniel Rolland and some former players. It was held while Éric Cantona, 57, who became an actor and now a singer, is currently in residence at the Auxerre theater to prepare a musical show.
“Auxerre is a city that has meant a lot to me,” declared Cantona on this occasion. The AJA is my family. I experienced very intense moments here which helped me build myself. For a club from a small town like that to remain at the top after several decades is exceptional. »
“I feel like I’m 15”
Before becoming a legend across the Channel with Manchester United, the “King” began his career at AJA, where, in 1981, he was part of the first generation of players trained by the Icaunais club. “I had an exceptional training. In my life, I have always acted on instinct and felt that there was something here. I was not mistaken. I’m so happy. I feel like I’m 15 years old,” commented the former international (45 caps, 20 goals).
“Eric remains very attached to this club and speaks about it in an incredible way. This new name for the football hall should make it possible to pass on this heritage,” emphasized Baptiste Malherbe.
After leaving AJA in 1988, Eric Cantona played in Marseille (1988-91), his hometown, and was loaned to Bordeaux (1989) and Montpellier (1989-1990). After a final French club (Nîmes, in 1991), “Éric the King” crossed the Channel and enjoyed glory in England, first at Leeds (1992) then at Manchester United (1992-1997), where he is a living legend.
He has won a total of five English league titles, including four with the Red Devils, four Charity Shields and two FA Cups. After reaching the summits, even achieving a Cup-Championship double in 1996, Auxerre is currently playing in Ligue 2 and is aiming to climb back up to the elite.
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