Laurent Labit is no longer the rugby director of Stade Français, as the club has officially confirmed his departure amid poor performance this season and internal conflicts within the coaching staff. The announcement came from Hans-Peter Wild, the owner of Stade Français, who stated on March 2, 2025, "C’est fini entre Laurent Labit et le Stade Français. Dans l’intérêt du club, il a décidé de prendre du recul et nous avons trouvé un accord à l’amiable avec lui." This decision follows the team’s alarming position, currently sitting 11th on the Top 14 leaderboard, having dropped from second place just one season prior.
The turnaround for Stade Français has been stark. After finishing as one of the favorites for the title last season, the team has struggled mightily this year, only managing to keep two points’ distance from the relegation zone. The owner, Wild, noted, "Il y avait trop de frictions au sein du staff," reflecting the poor synergy within the team’s management. Such tensions reportedly stemmed from conflicting communications, as players sometimes spoke to different coaches, he said, which resulted in confusion and hindered the team’s performance.
Labit, who joined Stade Français following the conclusion of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, was brought on board alongside former French national team colleague Karim Ghezal, who was also shown the door earlier this season. Wild later admitted, "Ça n’a pas fonctionné," acknowledging the recruitment of these high-profile coaches was, in hindsight, not the right decision. He revealed, "Je m’étais trompé en pensant que le club pourrait gagner rapidement un titre," admitting his miscalculation about the club's competitive recovery after hiring Labit and Ghezal.
The recent victory against Stade Rochelais (22-17) provided some much-needed relief but could not wash away the broader issues plaguing the club. It served as just one small step away from near-relegation. It's clear the club needs more than just temporary fixes; it requires fundamental changes to stabilize its future. Paul's coaching tenure is under scrutiny as he attempts to steer the team clear of relegation, and his own future is rapidly approaching uncertainty with continuous rumors linking him to the Premiership side Leicester Tigers.
Wild's frustrations were palpable as he reflected on potential future directions for Stade Français. He expressed the necessity of finding "un partenaire français" willing to invest and manage the club alongside him. Without such support, Wild acknowledged the financial constraints typical of operating professional rugby teams, reiteratively warning, "il est important que ce partenaire potentiel ait les ressources financières nécessaires et soit conscient qu’un club de rugby ne génère pas de profit." This pressure speaks not only to immediate needs but highlights the pivot to a new strategy for the club within competitive rugby.
The struggles encountered by Stade Français raise questions about player retention, as they have lost key players over the last couple of seasons which adds to the difficulty of rebuilding effectively. This is especially significant since many younger talents now find themselves stepping up during this pivotal phase for the team. Wild described the current situation, highlighting the importance of maintaining morale and competency within the squad: "Mais comme nous avons pu le constater aujourd’hui, nous avons un bon état d’esprit. L’équipe a bien joué face à La Rochelle…"
The decision to part ways with Labit is described as one made for the club's wellbeing, recognizing the challenges of competing at high levels within rugby. The tradition of instability at the club, which has seen several changes since Wild's acquisition, raises the question of whether the involvement of high-profile coaches led more to division than success. The next steps for Stade Français will be closely watched as they seek to lay the groundwork for future successes free from the burdens cast by earlier coaching tenures.
Conclusively, Labit’s exit marks the end of another chapter for Stade Français but also opens the door for potential revitalization at the club. Their focus will undoubtedly remain on securing their Top 14 status whilst mending internal fractures created over the tumultuous operational period. The future is uncertain, but the hope for recovery remains strong among the club’s supporters.