Football. Brest Armorique, PSG-Real, VA – OM case: Joël Cloarec, ups and downs career

First steps in professionalism…

“In 1986, I came to Brest after three years in Concarno as an amateur. I didn’t go to a training center, I registered as a trainee when I was 20 years old. First I played in the reserves (D3), then in 1987-1988 I was first with Michel Sorin, Paul Le Guen, Roberto Cabanyas, Jos Van Herpen… Promotion in the play-offs with Strasbourg in 1989 remain the fondest memories. ..”

… upon cancellation

“Cancellation

, we suffered because at that time we had taken all our place in D1. Because Brest is the ruling mini-Auxerre, we’ve been cut off. There are parameters that we don’t control and it was very difficult until the end of 1991, when it was canceled in December. Brest is six years of my life… Leaving Brittany was also a break from the roots. We don’t just live with regrets, there were other adventures then. »

2 Paris Saint-Germain (D1, 1992-1993)

At PSG via Berry

“After the cancellation, there is a rule that says that each club can only have one Brest player. Paris heals David Ginola in January 1992. But Charles Bietri also wanted me, so I’m going to their front room at Chateauroux for six months, knowing I’ll be moving to PSG in July. After François Yvinec, who marked me the most, I met one of the two presidents: Michel Denisot. It’s part of the quality human relationships you can have in life…”

PSG – Real Madrid in the front row

“This is the highlight of my career.

. Even though I was on the bench, I warmed up a bit (laughs)… My year in Paris is full of regrets as well as satisfactions, because I played less with a coach who rotates very little (Arthur Jorge). But I trained with the best group of my career, with Ricardo, Ginola, Kombuare, Lama… Valdo marked me the most. »

* On March 18, 1993, in the second leg of the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup, a 4-1 victory after a 3-1 defeat in the first leg.

“I had to play only one minute of the game against Paris. I’m in the record books, I do it often! At that time, stoppages did not count, so I had to play five or six minutes in St. Etienne, the first game of the season. I said to myself: “it’s good, you’re back to the first game!”. Besides, I’m still waiting for my second performance (laughs)! When I came back from a game in March-April, I asked to be hired, talking to Denisot, who cheered me on the plane. »

3 Valenciennes (D2, 1993-1994)

In hell after VA – OM

“I join Valencienne. VA-OM case

it hasn’t exploded in the media yet. The year I lived in is nothing compared to the year Jacques Glassmann could have lived, a security guard in his house, a crowd that bullied him everywhere… Besides, it carried over into everything in the band. The first game, we move in Nice: there are GIGN with dogs and armed children to provide security in the hotel and stadium. When we are in this context, we think we are in football or something else. Unleashing all this media from the end of the previous season affecting our season was tough. »

On May 1, 1991, Joël Cloarec and Brest took over Olympique de Marseille from Manuel Amoros.

On May 1, 1991, Joël Cloarec and Brest took over Olympique de Marseille from Manuel Amoros. (Photo by The Telegram)

4 Briochin Stadium (D2, 1996-1997)

Guingamp to neighboring Briochin

“Then I went on a two-year loan with Guingamp (1994-1996). Very good first year and with D1 growth. Then during the second year pubalgia and I can hardly play. My contract is expiring, I’m 30 years old… I worked for a while with the unemployed at the UN Population Program and through a friendly in Saint-Brieuc, the club called me and we signed a new contract. »