MHR Coaches Series, 2/5: Geoffrey Doumayrou, a phone call that changed everything

Not keen on becoming a coach, Geoffrey Doumayrou (35 years old) finally gave in to the call of passion. It all happened in a phone call. Here he is, Mr. Defense of Montpellier.

In a parallel world, Geoffrey Doumayrou spends his weekends with his family, his mind at peace, probably tasting the different vintages of his beloved Pic Saint-Loup. No more weeks in crampons. No more trips to the four corners of the country, or even the continent. Perfect, after a very eventful career as a professional rugby player, that's what he imagined.

In the real world ? Geoffrey cracked. And his hoarse voice continues to resonate on the fields. The former international three-quarter center (13 caps) gave in to the sirens of passion. And to the call of Joan Caudullo. It all happened in a phone call, a few days after the access match won against Grenoble last June. The new manager of the MHR, with a magic trick, seized the right moment to leave no way out for his future colleague. Several dozen minutes of exchanges, tough negotiations (“not financial”, specifies Caudullo) and it was off. “Doum” became the new Mr. Defense of the MHR. “I'm quite proud of my move”, Caudullo smiles today.

Geoffrey Doumayrou with Jean-Philippe Lacoste, at the beginning of 2010. Midi Libre – MAX BERULLIER

This turnaround initially surprised the Doumayrou family. “He kept telling me that he wanted to be free on weekends, wasn't considering coaching”, laughs Serge, the father, former French champion in 1983 with Béziers and ex-second row of Montpellier. The brother, Quentin, a year older, first thought “of the club's situation”, feared that his brother would pick up “the hot potato”.

 

Perfectionist

Then the choice quickly became obvious. “Adversity, challenges, work, it never scared him. Above all, he is in charge of a very technical sector, which suits him. Then when I see the guys he is with in the staff, he is in a good team. They are all on the same wavelength, they are perfectionists”, assures Quentin, who accumulated about ten match sheets with Montpellier and Béziers between 2010 and 2012, before becoming a physiotherapist.

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Geoffrey Doumayrou's perfectionism. Quite a story. As a player, the Montpellier player had a reputation for being uncompromising with himself, and therefore with others. A character trait that hardly surprises the eldest of the siblings. “He's always been like that. That's thanks to Sergio”, smiles Quentin. “When we were both playing, we were allowed to have a little debrief at home. The analysis focused on everything that hadn't gone well. The good, we didn't even talk about it”. The patriarch explains: “I never believed in cuddle therapy. Being too protective doesn't do any good. I sometimes made speeches that didn't please. But be careful, it wasn't free. The goal, behind it, was to provide solutions.”

Enough to shape a strong character, a winning mentality. “There, he started running. He was a bit fed up with this daily competitive spirit. Recently, with some friends, he did a race in his village. He wanted to leave quietly. Then his colleagues teased him a bit and he couldn't help but get excited. He's like that. Even when he cooks for his kids, everything has to be perfect”, confides Quentin.

“I wouldn't be surprised if he went far in the profession”

Geoffrey has also built a bit of a reputation, that of the slightly grumpy guy, the teammate who always wants his friend next to him to be on top form. “When he has something to tell you, he tells you”, promises his brother.

Undeniably, with the coach's cap, he was forced to put a sip of water in his wine. “Defense is a subject he masters well. He had his project well in mind. I was surprised to see how clear his ideas were.The one and only question I had was how he was going to get his message across to the players”, Serge feared when he took office.

Geoffrey Doumayrou at his debut during the 2008/2009 season. Midi Libre – MAX BERULLIER

Let dad rest assured. The son's words are well received, very well indeed. “I have never seen analyses of such quality. It wouldn't surprise me if he goes far in the profession”, whispers a member of the Montpellier management. “Geoffrey ? He's been coaching for ten years anyway. When he played, he was already coaching”, whispers another.

His new status does not prevent him from yelling a few times, from throwing a few names in Joan Caudullo's earpiece during matches. But this passion and his knowledge of rugby make him one of the sportsman's bosses. And that's just the beginning.

Bio express

Born September 16, 1989 in Montpellier (35 years old).
Career: trained at the Pic Saint-Loup rugby school, has integrated the Pôle Espoir de Béziers.
Clubs: Montpellier (2008-2012 then 2021-2024), Stade Français (2012-2017), La Rochelle (2012-2021).
Palmarès : Top 14 (2015, 2022).
Selections: 13.
Coach of the defense of Montpellier since July 2024.

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