A touch of humor to formalize a serious announcement or a simple joke to bounce on the news? Michel Denisot confirms, it is indeed the first option: that of his withdrawal from the world of football.
“On the eve of my 78th birthday, I am retiring as manager of La Berrichonne, of which I was active then non-executive president until the match against PSG, my other club… taken without opposition, this decision will not be not submitted to the Constitutional Council”, wrote on Twitter this Saturday the one who was president of PSG between 1991 and 1998.
The journalist thus referred to the decision of the Constitutional Council to validate the essentials of the pension reform when bowing out.
In reality, Denisot had therefore removed his costume as non-executive president since the final whistle of the 32nd final of the Coupe de France lost by Châteauroux against the Parisians (3-1). “I left this position on January 6, the evening of the match, he confirms. As we were in a lackluster sporting situation, I told myself that I was not going to say anything until my birthday, hoping that we would get our heads above water, which is the case. »
“You’ll write some career-ending stuff when I’m dead!” »
The former deputy director general of Canal + had returned for the third time with La Berrichonne in March 2021. But he was no longer comfortable with the idea of occupying this position. “I didn’t decide anything, I learned the news by reading the newspaper, he explains. It was a bit of a sham, people thought I was president when I really wasn’t. I wanted to clarify the situation. When there was the draw for the Cup, I said to the owner: PSG-Châteauroux, cit’s a sign of fate, it comes full circle. »
Denisot completes this chapter, “a little piece of (at) life”, and does not plan to dive back anytime soon. “I am a supporter of Paris and Châteauroux. It’s going very well like that, he smiles. I still watch the matches, I love this sport, I am in contact with football people, but I don’t want to have a position of responsibility in football anymore. New generations need to take over. This is already the case in Châteauroux, the club runs 100% without me. »
“I’m really 78, I wish it was a joke”
With the release of his book We can laugh at everything except eating semolina, the broadcast in May of a documentary for France 2 and the writing of another book, the former reporter for TF 1 has plenty to take care of. In any case, he is not bored enough to immediately take stock of his career as president. “Next time,” he slips. You’ll write some career-ending stuff when I’m dead! »
If he chose the opposite tone to announce his departure, Denisot was therefore not joking. “I’m really 78 tomorrow, I wish it was a joke, but it’s the reality,” he laughs.