Philippe Jeannol: “1986 was the culmination of an exceptional season"
As the Parisians celebrate their 11th French league title, former players from the club from the capital talk about their memories of winning the title. Philippe Jeannol, who won the title with Paris Saint-Germain in 1986, tells us about his fondest memories.
Philippe, what is your first memory of PSG, even before you arrived at the club?
"The first memory I have is undoubtedly the phone call from Francis Borelli to bring me to the club. I'd been a Nancy player for many years and I was due to leave the club. A number of clubs wanted me to join them in 1984, and Francis Borelli called me to convince me and to talk to my wife, because it was important to him and to me. I was proud to have been contacted by President Borelli, at the time I had a choice, and looking back, I can say that I made the right one."
If you had to remember just one thing... ?
« J'ai deux grands souvenirs de football. D'abord le titre de champion olympique, que j'ai gagné juste avant d'arriver au PSG en 1984, avec l'Equipe de France. Et le deuxième c'est le titre de champion de France avec Paris, parce que c'était un titre pas forcément attendu, mais mérité. C'était la consécration pour nous les joueurs, et pour le Président Borelli. C'était le titre suprême, la consécration d'une saison exceptionnelle, avec une longue série de matches sans défaite, du football offensif, on remplissait les stades partout où on allait. Ce sont de vrais beaux souvenirs. »
Et vous remportez le premier titre de l'histoire, en 1986...
"I have two great memories in football. Firstly, the Olympic title, that I won just before joining PSG in 1984, with the French national team. And the second is the French league title with Paris, because it was a title that wasn't necessarily expected, but deserved. It was the crowning glory for us players and for President Borelli. It was the ultimate achievement, the culmination of an exceptional season, with a long run of unbeaten matches, some attacking football, we filled stadiums wherever we went. These are truly beautiful memories."
What memories do you have of that season?
"If I have to remember two things from that title in 1986, it's a match at Lens, where we were losing 2-0 before winning 3-2. And another match at the Parc des Princes, where we won 2-1 against Nantes, a match of incredible quality from both sides. These are moments that stand out in a season like that."