Courbis back at the helm

By Graham Berger

When Rolland Courbis stepped on to the pitch to mark his return as AC Ajaccio coach against Paris Saint-Germain FC on 11 January, he was greeted by an almighty roar from the home fans. Not since the Corsican club clinched promotion to Ligue 1 back in April had the Stade François-Coty witnessed such joyous scenes.

Promotion mastermind
It was Courbis who masterminded last season's successful campaign, but the 49-year-old was denied the pleasure of leading Ajaccio into the top flight when he was suspended from coaching in July pending an investigation into transfer irregularities between 1997 and 1999, while he was coach of Olympique de Marseille. Although he still stands accused of these charges, Courbis was granted permission to return to Ajaccio earlier this month after paying half of his bail.

Lost time
Now the Marseille-born coach, who has proclaimed his innocence throughout the inquest, is hoping to make up for lost time after enduring what he described as the most frustrating six months of his life. "I find it hard to put into words what I have been through," he said. "I had my livelihood taken away from me because of something I didn't do. After helping win promotion last season I thought I had earned the right to sit on the Ajaccio bench in the top division."

Faith in the system
Courbis believes the court's decision to investigate finances at Marseille is justified, but is worried about how it will affect his reputation. "I know that these days I walk around with a big sign on my back that says 'crook'," he said. "There's nothing I can do about that. But I have faith in the justice system and remain confident my name will be cleared."

Making the headlines
The former AS Monaco FC player first made the headlines for the wrong reasons in 1990 when, as coach of SC Toulon, he was accused of fraud by a Cannes casino. He was acquitted of that charge but later that year Toulon became the subject of an investigation into financial irregularities and Courbis was provisionally handed a 98-day prison sentence. Five years later, when the inquest was completed, he received a three-year suspended sentence and a €45,000 fine. In 1997, meanwhile, he was hit with a €76,000 fine for tax evasion.

Changed man
Today Courbis claims he is a changed man. "I admit that ever since I went to Greece [to play for Olympiakos Piraeus FC] as a 19-year-old, money has played an important part in my life," he said. "But it is not a priority anymore. If I'm as obsessed with money as people say, then what am I doing at Ajaccio where my salary is about the same as it would be if I were unemployed?"

Work cut out
Courbis certainly has his work cut out to prevent Ajaccio from going straight back down to Ligue 2. The team dropped into the relegation zone after picking up just one point from a possible 18 before Christmas and although the ship was steadied with two draws since his return there remains plenty to do.

Moretti backs his man
Ajaccio president Michel Moretti has backed Courbis throughout the investigation and is confident he will steer the club to safety. "You could see during the PSG match that we have got the old Rolland Courbis back," he said. "I'd say his hunger and passion for the job have grown during his time away." Courbis himself believes the suspension has made him look at his job in a new light. "I was thinking about quitting at the end of this season, but now I have the appetite to keep going," he said.