You’ve been working for Goal FC for a month and a half. How did your first steps go?
I was not too disoriented given that I ended my career in the club, which I did the last six months in the staff of Cris. I knew half of the workforce and I was fully satisfied with the recruitment that I validated with Edouard Chabas (in charge of recruitment) and Anthony Réveillère (sports director).
Recruitment had started before your official induction, it intensified as soon as you arrived.
The only player who was validated before my arrival is Julien Kouadio (Moulins-Yzeure). In 48 hours, we made six or seven players that I had in the back of my mind and for whom I was on the same wavelength as Edouard and Anthony. You should know that we validate at three, this reduces the margin of error. I don’t do anything without my sidekicks.
How do you judge the quality of this group?
I have a good team. I have quality, maturity, youth. There is a beautiful alchemy that has been created. Afterwards, I am aware that the championship has not yet started and that it is always easier to live well when it is calm. On a human level, which in my opinion is something more important than football, I don’t think we were wrong. From what I saw during the friendlies, I was not disappointed at this level. Regarding the game, we certainly sinned in the finish, but we were able to produce the game.
Are you still on the lookout for a good deal in the transfer window?
Sincerely, it’s over for me. Then there may be a surprise or two by the end. For now, I have a squad that I count on and I am fully satisfied with it.
We have the feeling that never a hen of N2 has seemed so insane. Is that your point of view too?
Yes because there is financial strength, teams that have not changed too much and are showing stability. I am referring to teams like Grasse, Aubagne. There are pro reserves (OM, OL, Monaco), clubs with stories like Toulon and experiences at the higher level too. It is one of the biggest National 2 that I have seen.
How to be the team that will make the difference among this group of at least 8 contenders for the climb?
For me, there are a lot less. Afterwards, I never speak of a climb because it seems to me to be presumptuous. We must already start the championship, see what it can give and then consider things. We cannot plan on an accession without having played half of the championship. Having goals remains human because without them we cannot progress, but ours is to work together, win matches and not give others the opportunity to bother us. We will play our football with a winning mentality and, without wanting to shield me, we will not have a sword of Damocles above our head for the climb.
You will start against a team which clearly aims to find the National. What does this introduction to Sporting Toulon inspire you?
I’m assuming you have to play them at one point or another. It falls on the first day, that’s good. When I was talking about history, this is a club that has a real one. Sporting has evolved in Ligue 1, Toulon is a city that lives for football and rugby of course (smiles). I respect the thoughts of others, but we have our own. We are not going to hide in this championship but we will wait for the season to advance to see what we can do.
Interview by Thomas Gucciardi
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