His first words
« I'd like to thank Chairman Arnaud Pouille and Sports Director Frederic Massara for asking me to take on this challenge. The situation isn't ideal and we're going to have to resolve it as quickly as possible. Neither the city, nor the club, nor the fans, nor the shareholders deserve this situation. It's a new stage that's going to require a lot of work. I accepted the offer because Stade Rennais F.C. is a great club. It's a question of developing a sporting project together, in a country that I know and love. I'm very excited to be at Rennes, it's a great challenge. »
We're going to have to get the team's confidence back.
The first objectives
« The first objective is to get to know the team. We're going to get organised so that we can work as a team, and then we're going to develop our identity and strengthen our playing culture. Initially, we're going to have to help the team regain its confidence. »
His first observation
« This weekend, with the change of coach, I saw a team in transition. I think that with a new methodology and new ideas, we'll be able to establish a diagnosis that will improve the situation and restore the players' morale. My assistants and I have already observed and analysed the team and the players by watching a number of matches. We already know something about this group. »
Back in Ligue 1
« I'm a real fan of Ligue 1. After Marseille, I continued to watch the league and it has continued to evolve since I left. The best players in the world come from France and Brazil in particular. We're going to have to make the most of that know-how. »
His memories of Roazhon Park
« Stade Rennais was in a different situation. I remember the fervour, the enthusiasm and the joy you could feel in that stadium. I remember we didn't have our best afternoon. »
The style of play
« We're going to have to understand what the team's real problem is today. Gradually, we're going to make the team feel more secure. Then we'll develop our game with the support of the group. Things have to happen gradually if we want the change to last. »
It's with a lot of energy and commitment that we're going to change things.
Confidence dented in the dressing room
« When faced with a suffering team, the important thing is to find out where the deterioration is coming from. The team is not achieving its objectives and the idea is to transform this suffering into security. We need to consolidate the group so that it feels more at ease on the pitch. It's with a lot of energy and commitment that we're going to change things. The players need to be aware of the situation and what needs to be done to turn it around. »
The roadmap
« The reality is that we need to get this dressing room back into collective shape. The aim is to rediscover a group spirit, and we'll talk about ambitions later. First of all, there's a lot of progress to be made in terms of the way we operate and our ability to be competitive. »
His temperament
« I have my own way of experiencing football, which is certainly excessive, but it's also my way of expressing myself to avoid losing, because I hate defeat. Because of my character, I want to give my team every opportunity to win. The aim is for the team to create emotions and generate enthusiasm. I don't want the team to change because of me, but it has to for the sake of the city and the fans. »
