The least we can say is that Daniel Pozzi’s job is not easy in normal times and it is even less so in times of pandemic.
The Montrealer is the principal responsible for the operations of CF Montreal. He is the one who has been managing the team’s travel for several years. In particular, he books and plans hotels and flights, bus transfers, meals and a host of other things together with Franco Subrani, who is the coordinator.
As we said, in normal times, it’s already a demanding position that requires her to travel with the team and even before it to go scouting when she visits a new destination.
Since last year, his daily life has been turned upside down by this damn pandemic, which has completely transformed his work.
And square full
To use the now-accepted expression, Pozzi and his collaborators learned how to build the airplane in flight.
“Last year, we were doing everything as we went along, it was new, so the first thing was to have bikes and exercise equipment delivered to the players.
“Our chef at Sheraton Laval prepared meals for the players and we had to coordinate to deliver it to all the players because we wanted them to eat well without having to go out. “
We then had to find a new home for the team since it became obvious that playing the season at Stade Saputo would not be possible. The team settled in New Jersey.
As Pozzi mentions, Hoboken, where the team was staying, is a beautiful place a stone’s throw from New York City, but it was impossible to enjoy it.
Adaptation
The team will be settling, at least for a few months, in a large hotel in the Fort Lauderdale area where the players will feel more at home. We also learned from the experience of 2020.
“Last year,” says Pozzi, “we had few days off and meals were always in groups and I think the world gets tired of seeing each other in the long run. Sometimes you just want to be on your own or eat FaceTime with your family.
“This year, we will have more freedom, we will be able to eat in a group, but if the players want to go to their room or on a terrace, they will be free to do so. There will also be more flexible time slots. “
In short, we will do everything to reproduce the way of life they have in Montreal. And that is also reflected in the transport.
“This year, we’re about twenty minutes from the training center, it’s a bit like they are moving to Montreal. We also bring in people with more defined roles, for washing in particular. “
With family
We will also do everything so that players who have families can go to Florida with theirs.
“We mentioned to the players and staff that they could take their family members with them. But the children are in school now, there are working wives. It would have been great to have everyone there from the start.
“At the beginning, we plan to have a couple of families with us, but we will accommodate as much as possible those who will want to come. And if fathers of families express the desire to rent an apartment, we will not prevent them. “
Pozzi himself intends to bring his family, but has mixed feelings.
“If I start making plans for them to come, that will also mean that we are going to be there for a long time. ”
Departure to Florida with no known return date
Unlike last year, CF Montreal will hit the road for the United States on April 6 without knowing when it will return.
“Last year, we had an assumed end date with a maximum which was the MLS Cup,” recalls Daniel Pozzi. This year, it’s the opposite because we know when we are leaving and we don’t know when we will be able to come back. “
It is therefore in a climate of uncertainty that the team will leave for Florida, but at least the players will be well surrounded and will be installed in a prestigious hotel, which represented the best solution.
“It was not that easy to find forty condos available for a certain period of time,” explains Pozzi.
Young team
What’s more, with many teenagers and several players under the age of 25, the hotel is perhaps the best place.
“Looking at the age group that we have, there are several for whom it is better to be in a hotel with adults because we have a few minors. I’m not sure it would have been the best thing to put these kids in an apartment even though I think they could have done it. “
In addition, it is easier to supervise the players at the hotel.
“I know some people would have liked to go live in a condo on their own and enjoy life in Florida. But it’s not a vacation, we have rules imposed by the league that we must follow. “
Remote
When he has to find a hotel in a new city, Daniel Pozzi normally goes there for a few days to make visits. But not this time.
“I had to do all my scouting remotely and it’s one of the strangest things about my job this year not being able to visit.
“But I have a lot of experience in this industry because we go there every year for the MLS assessment camp. I contacted six hotels in all and had either stayed or visited them. “
It was also necessary to coordinate the use of the stadium with Inter Miami CF.
“I know two people who work there very well, including a very good friend. We will have our staff to take care of us, they may help us at the start, but we want to be autonomous. “
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