Berbizier eager to leave Racing

Pierre Berbizier will officially leave Racing Metro at the end of June having been essentially fired in March, the former France scrumhalf told L'Equipe.

Berbizier, who played 56 times for France, was Racing coach from 2007-2012 before being moved upstairs when Argentine Gonzalo Quesada was brought in before the beginning of this season.

But his new role of sporting director was not all that it would seem, according to the 54-year-old.

"I was fired on March 30… in June it will be over with Racing," said Berbizier.

"I was named as consultant to the president [businessman Jacky Lorenzetti] with the title of general manager in charge of the sporting project, only without any mission or responsibility.

"Although I proposed some projects in line with the job, they were never validated."

Berbizier was part of the French Grand Slam-winning teams in 1981 and 1987 and went on to coach both France and Italy before joining the then-second division Racing in 2007.

He was one of the first signings made by property agent Lorenzetti during a spectacular recruitment campaign for a second division club.

Having brought them up to the French Top 14 at the second attempt, Berbizier also took Racing into the European Cup before being moved aside in favour of Quesada.

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