The selection of Pitau, a brand new mind-set and a brand new period: on the eve of the second half of the season, MHSC president Laurent Nicollin explains.
In the course of the preparation, did you’re feeling the beginnings of adjustments made within the truce?
I’ve seen various things, however solely matches and competitors can affirm this example or not. We really feel a distinct mind-set. We’re in keeping with what we requested Romain when he took over the group.
We noticed folks working, taking a little bit shit. It has been some time since I’ve seen three every day exercises. Even with a greater group on paper, if we do not react bodily and sustain with the tempo, we will not be good. It isn’t sufficient to play soccer, however now we have a top quality group.
Do you’re feeling that you’re coming into a brand new period?
We’re coming into a brand new period, with a brand new coach, an improved and extra dedicated employees. We hope to search out smiles, outcomes and a extra appropriate place for a membership like ours.
I hope we’re coming into a brand new interval the place we could have a little bit extra peace, the place we might be appreciated once more, the place folks will give us power to win video games. We wish to discover a group with a nicer face, much less stress on matchdays and that interprets into the standings.
I’ve certainly set objectives for Romain, however it isn’t straightforward to get speedy outcomes. The evil was deeper
Why did you select Romain Pitau as head coach?
I really feel that he’s able to doing good issues, that he’s concerned within the lifetime of the membership.
His profile is near that of Michel (editor’s be aware Der Zakarian). If they don’t have the identical character, their functioning and speech are comparable.
There are extra exchanges, extra discussions with me, with Michel (Mézy, advisor to the president, editorial) or Bruno (Carotti, sporting director, editorial)
I’ve certainly set objectives for Romain, however it isn’t straightforward to get speedy outcomes. The evil was deeper.
We criticized the calendar of this World Cup, me first, however this truce made it doable to cease and begin once more on new bases.
How did you select Frédéric Mendy?
Romain needed to bolster the employees with an additional assistant and prompt the title Fred, who instantly mentioned banco. That is good: Fred brings a brand new look, freshness and empowerment to everybody, particularly Pascal Baills. Everyone seems to be of their place.
I nonetheless have ambitions to complete within the prime eight or prime ten
What are the keys to turning into aggressive once more and regaining the momentum you had earlier than December 2021?
We have to rating factors for a month or two to achieve confidence and create a niche with the 4 which have been relegated. Within the second step, we will work to get as excessive as doable. I at all times have ambitions to complete within the prime eight or prime ten. We now have the standard and capability to do it.
I am the primary one who would not pay a lot consideration to friendlies, however the wins towards Rodez and Toulouse are good for morale. The gamers needed to relax and show to themselves that they might win once more.
Hiring technicians, within the membership for a very long time, do you wish to discover your id?
We have to discover peace and really feel supported. There was the banging of Dall’Oglio, the banging of Montpellier Hérault, and unconsciously it impacts everybody: the coach, the gamers and me too. It is like a child in class: telling him that he sucks finally convinces him of it and doubts his virtues.
Once we gained a sport or two it felt like we had been beginning over, however as quickly as we misplaced it out of the blue did not work in any respect. Fixed criticism is tiring.
Pailladin spirit
The place is the change?
We wanted to discover a calmer, much less hostile local weather and clear our heads to do one thing else.
We had hoped it will occur this summer time, it did not, fairly the alternative.
I hope we did the suitable factor. Perhaps I used to be flawed, I hope not. We are going to see the brand new face of Montpellier subsequent week in Lorient.
We’ll additionally want a pailladin spirit, with a giant c… and the will to go for a stamp. This warrior discourse solely has worth when it’s conveyed all through the week, not simply reminded of the weekend by just a few. We additionally must make folks wish to come again to assist us to search out the pailladin group and spirit.
I felt one thing needed to be completed as a result of we had been shedding rather a lot. We now have to go up the slope, nevertheless it would not go by itself. It will not be straightforward to return again forward of groups like Lorient and Marseille, who had first half of the season, nevertheless it’s a brand new championship that begins once more.
All groups are shut to one another
Will Savanier have an essential position to play?
We see it on the highest stage, with a French group or an Argentine group. All groups are shut to one another. It is gamers who’re above, like Mbappé or Messi, that make the distinction.
We now have Savanier. If he’s in good bodily form, he could have head, he’ll lead the group and permit us to win video games and transfer ahead.
The design of the brand new stadium has been delayed a bit. How does it evolve?
We’re going up, we’re going up. We’ll spend Christmas telling ourselves we’re not removed from the top of the tunnel.
There’s a disaster. We went from a value of €200 million to €240 million. As my dad used to say, sausages do not develop on timber.
We had a monetary assembly on Tuesday evening which went very nicely. We now have virtually closed the monetary side, we will now work.