Interview. A few days after agreeing with Stade Rennes on a first one-season professional contract (with an additional two years in option), Quentin Rouger answered to the questions of Stade Rennais Online. From dream to reality, the professional career of the 20 years old is now on the rails. And it is up to him to put in the work and give it another dimension.
Stade Rennais Online: In June 2005, you joined the Stade Rennais FC Academy from ES Craon. How did you first get in touch with Rennes?
- Quentin Rouger : «In fact, I was spotted during an indoor tournament organised by the TA Rennes. Later, Stade Rennes recruiters came to see me several times when I played with the ES Craon. After a trial in Rennes, they told me they were interested in me and they wished to integrate me to their Academy. I played a tournament with them, and then I arrived in Rennes”.
SRO : At the time, you must have had other propositions. From which clubs? What made you decide for Stade Rennais FC ?
- Q.R. : «At the time, the only alternative was Laval. So I chose Rennes because of its Academy, and also because of the results the club was managing in Ligue 1”.
SRO : 2009 was an important year for you on an individual point of view. You played your first game with the Reserve in the CFA division against Le Havre (1-1, 18th Game Week) and receive the club’s “Academy’s Best Player” award before signing your contract as an intern. It couldn’t get much better?
- Q.R. : «It’s true, that year was very good for me. It allowed me to discover the CFA and understand how much work I had to do in view of the future. It is evident that it was a crucial year in my young career”.
SRO : Do you feel something is missing, having not won a major title with the youth teams at Stade Rennais FC, especially in the Gambardella Cup?
- Q.R. : «Certainly, it’s a shame I haven’t won anything in the youth teams with my training club. But the most important was really to work and improve”.
SRO : For those who don’t know you yet. What type of player are you?
- Q.R. : «I’m a player able to play on a side or as a playmaker. I’m often in a final pass position, I like to get into a challenge and I am quite good at taking set-pieces”.
SRO : Since two years, you have been used at several positions (playmaker, left winger, centre midfield) without really settling at any of those three. What is your favourite position, or the one that you feel most comfortable with?
- Q.R. : «When I started in Rennes, I mostly played as a playmaker. Then, little by a little, I started playing more on the wing. I had to adapt to different efforts and to the changes of pace. To be honest, I don’t really have a preference. This year, I was mainly used on a wing. Now, I’m feeling more comfortable in that position. However, when I have the opportunity, I really like to play as a playmaker, as I did during our game on the road at La Vitréenne (1-0) a few weeks ago”.
SRO : What does it mean to you to sign a professional contract, moreover at the Stade Rennais FC ?
- Q.R. : «After all the hard work I’ve put in at the Academy and with the club’s Reserve, it’s an achievement and a reward. But I’ve got even more work to do. It’s only the beginning, I can’t consider myself satisfied with it».
SRO : Is a loan likely to happen next season?
- Q.R. : «No, I’ve been told I wouldn’t be loaned next season».
SRO : If you compare with the current situations of Gaëtan Caro and Vincent Pajot who had signed a one year professional contract with an option for two more years last season. Doesn’t the fact to go and toughen-up in a Ligue 2 or National club take part in a learning curve?
- Q.R : «Naturally, it would be very beneficial for me. For the level in the first place, and for the experience of living as part of a professional squad. One learns much quicker there”.
SRO : The season isn’t over yet. However, how do you reflect on the Club’s Reserve likely relegation to the CFA2 Division next year? In your mind, what are the reasons for the drop, which is only waiting to be officialised now?
- Q.R. : «This year, we had a lot of difficulties with a young and inexperienced team. Difficult in that situation to rival with well organised team with a strong experience in the CFA. On top of that, there is the occasional presence of professional which mean that every week-end, the team is likely to be modified, which slightly hurts the cohesion and the automatisms in a team”.
SRO : What will your status be in the CFA 2 next year ?
- Q.R. : «I will probably have the same role as Gaëtan Caro this year. I will be one of the eldest players in the squad, so I will have to become a leader”.
SRO : Since you arrived in Rennes, can you think of a coach who proved more important than the others ?
- Q.R. : «Régis Le Bris, he brought me a lot, especially in terms of repositioning in the defensive phases. He clearly helped me reach another step when I played with the U18 team in the National division».
SRO : Frédéric Antonetti has proved he gives a chance to the youngsters. Have you been given guarantees towards your status for next season? For example, will you train with the professional squad?
- Q.R. : «At the beginning of the season, I don’t think so. But if everything goes well and I keep on improving, why not?”.
SRO : Are there people you would like to thank after obtaining this first professional contract ?
- Q.R. : «Mainly my parents, who allowed me to live this adventure, and all the people who have been supporting me from the start”.
- Photo : srfc.frenchwill.fr
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