In an attempt to present a new generation of coaches coming to European handball, today we broadcast the conversation of Eric Mate, a coach who became better known to the general public in 2016 when he was appointed assistant coach of Montpellier, and since 2018 leads one of the best clubs in France – Samberi. The reason for the conversation was his appointment as an assistant in the men’s senior national team of France
In response to Guillaume Gille’s proposal, you said: „the phone call from the French national team was enough to convince me.“ It certainly wasn’t that simple, was it?
When you receive such a phone call, without thinking too much, you want to say yes. But of course, a lot of things count. For example, the complexity of the workload with your core business, the ability to change quickly, without compromising the quality of work on either side.
At a time when French handball is in trouble, it would be inconsistent to say no. With Guillaume, whom I did not know personally before, I immediately felt that it could work out between us. The geographical proximity of Guillaume also makes it easier. Of course, the fact that the current team is a product of the work of the federation in the last 10 years and my presence in the U21 team with Yohanna Delattre was included. I know most players that way and it will also make relationships easier.
Wasn’t the role of assistant an obstacle to your engagement?
I have three seasons of experience as a club assistant at a very high level. It’s not something that bothers me at all and frustrates me. Instead of the word assistant, I prefer the English term „assistant coach“, which seems more realistic to me. During the first gathering, it became obvious to Guillaume to take this position, to be the leader of people and projects. He is also aware that he has not yet trained and managed. Here, too, my role will be a little different from the role I had with Patrice Canayer.
There is a lot of talk in the media about the possibility of a split between the results of your club and your role in the French national team …
I don’t care much for all that. After the preparations of the national team, we lost the match with Chambéry in Nîmes. The next day, on social media, we saw a caricature of a man holding a girl’s hand (Chambéry) and turning to another girl (French national team). That made me laugh, because in whatever direction FFHandball went, it would be open to criticism and criticism. I think we had to get our hands dirty and I’m not afraid of that. I like the challenges associated with great adventures, like the French national team and it looks like we are going to the Olympics. It gives me energy and determination.
You followed the euro from your couch, without knowing that you would be wanted later. What were your thoughts on the impression of the French team at the time?
Obviously it wasn’t exactly a pleasure to watch, but nothing comes overnight, and you could just feel that something was wrong. When you’re not inside, you don’t know what’s going on. Admittedly, this was a very bad release, but it must be put into an overall perspective, as very few teams were successful before the Olympics. There is no room for mistakes for quality opponents and within the new competition formula, as evidenced by the elimination of Denmark. If there was any evidence, it would be much easier to identify. Failure is multifactorial.
The format of club competitions is not comparable to that of selections?
In the club, you can adjust how the weeks go by and how the preparations last. I used to say, “We have time, but time flies.” On the other hand, in the French team, “we don’t have time and time also flies.” I am interested in experiencing such a system that indisputably requires a lot of reactivity and necessarily multiplies emotions. We need to be even more sensitive, not procrastinating and optimizing quickly.
How would you summarize your philosophy or your beliefs in handball?
I don’t have strong beliefs about handball. In reality, my daily belief is work and rigor, a framework at work. When I arrived in Chambéry, I think everyone noticed. I impose my demands on others. In the French national team, we deal with players of very high quality who have their own sensitivity and the way they see things. The idea is therefore to put them in the best conditions. In handball, I enjoy defense and running, transition as well as fighting specific to our sport. Even if there is an obligation to score, the goal is also to provide satisfaction by offering an attractive and spectacular game.
Are you under the influence of a certain school, Yugoslav, Scandinavian, players, coaches?
That’s my nature: I’ve never adored anyone. When I was a teenager, I wasn’t a fan of musicians or comedians. I never asked anyone for an autograph. In reality, all the currents attract me a little. French culture feeds on all currents to create something of its own. It is also a reflection of the social culture of our teams.
If I had to appoint a coach, it would be Sylvain Nouet. When he was in charge of the male sector, I was in the center of Poitiers and at that time we were in regular contact. I liked his training methodology. It’s something that inspires me in my daily work. I also recognize myself well in his ability to work.
You started your coaching career in Courbevoie, with a women’s team at the level of handball school. Are you proud to have crossed all these levels?
It is really a pride to succeed without being a part of a series of top players. Earlier, when I was a young coach, it was studied by sports professors. Today, the model has changed because most, if not all, of the coaches are former top players. I didn’t have a career plan for myself. I just took the opportunity to take on the challenge. I never get tired of the challenges I face.
Handball takes up most of your life: is it a way to completely indulge your passion and make sacrifices?
Risking shock, my life revolves around handball, but it could be something else. Handball has never been in my blood or a great passion. Circumstances are what made me a coach because I wasn’t destined at all. But once I go that route and since I don’t like to do things half-heartedly, I always get involved with 200%. I would rather talk about the consequences than the victims. I’m single, it’s not calling people names – and I’m not frustrated by any flaws. That’s life. When I do something, I like to invest all my time and energy in it.
How do you organize your schedule between your Chambéry club and the French selection?
This is the point we agreed with Guillaume. From Monday to the day of the match I want to think only about my team at Lidl StarLigue. So I set a few timelines because I am no longer available from Friday to Sunday, also because we have been eliminated from the European Cup and the French Cup.
What is your method for reviewing and analyzing matches?
In the old days, I loved watching games in their entirety to try to spot some other behaviors and circumstances. It takes an awful lot of time because you’re usually wasting your time watching. Now I only watch sequences in a row.
What volume of matching will you analyze to prepare for the Olympic qualifiers?
I have already watched a dozen matches of the French national team so that I could cooperate with Guillaume, based on our joint observations. Then I get ready to study our three opponents well.
