Laurentiu Reghecampf says unpaid salaries, administrative problems and what he described as a lack of respect contributed to his decision to leave Esperance Tunis, insisting that an offer from Steaua Bucharest was not the sole reason for his departure.
In his first exclusive comments after leaving the Tunisian club, the Romanian coach told WinWin that members of his technical staff had gone three months without receiving their salaries and had also not been given residence cards or bank accounts.
Reghecampf also said the coaching staff had been discussing the situation with Esperance’s management for a long time, while other problems at the club remained unresolved.
“The fans are the best, and all respect to them, to the players and to everyone! But they don’t know the truth… We have been talking to the management about the situation for a long time.”
He later detailed the difficulties faced by members of his staff, saying: “The staff’s salaries have not been paid for 3 months, and there are no residence cards or bank accounts.”
The coach indicated that the problems extended beyond unpaid wages and administrative arrangements when asked whether there were other issues affecting the club.
“There are many problems.”
Reghecampf also addressed the situation surrounding the team’s training camp. He said his coaching staff was already in Tunisia and prepared to begin work, but maintained that Esperance’s management needed to meet its responsibilities.
“But they are bringing up different things… We are in Tunisia and ready to start training! But they have to do their duty.”
According to Reghecampf, the technical staff had already informed the club that they would not travel to the training camp. He said they were still waiting for a response from the management.
“We have already informed the club that we will not go to the training camp, and so far they have not responded to us!”
The Romanian coach was also questioned directly about an offer from Steaua Bucharest and whether it had played a decisive role in his departure from Esperance.
Reghecampf rejected the suggestion that his situation could be explained simply by the offer from his former club.
“I have many offers!”
When asked what had really prompted his stance towards Esperance, he gave a brief response: “No respect.”
Reghecampf declined to identify the individuals he was referring to when discussing the problems at the club. Instead, he said his comments were about the situations surrounding the team rather than particular people.
“I will not mention names! I am talking about situations.”
His comments provide his account of the events leading to his departure from Esperance, with the coach maintaining that the situation had developed over time and was not simply connected to the possibility of returning to Steaua Bucharest.
Despite his criticism of the club’s management, Reghecampf stressed that his position should not be interpreted as hostility towards Esperance’s supporters or players.
“Esperance deserves everything, it is a very, very, very big team!”
His comments have therefore placed the focus of his departure on what he described as financial and administrative difficulties, as well as a lack of respect, rather than solely on the Romanian offer.
Reghecampf has also made clear that he does not intend to name the people involved, choosing instead to discuss what he described as the broader problems experienced by his technical staff during his time at the club.
