Ligue 1 special: Road to recovery of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130 and questions posed at Remi Garde
On Wednesday, June 29, 2011, Ligue 1 giants Olympique de Lyonnais players returned to training at the Centre Tola Vologe in a bid to return to full fitness ahead of the pre-season.
As newly-appointed coach Remi Garde oversaw the drills, there was something different about the atmosphere at the Tola Vologe. Though the club has no rookies at this time of the year, Remi Garde is facing a task that is far from easy. Some questions, particularly
one regarding the recruitment of new players is still unresolved.
Remi Garde was surrounded by media following the end of his first training session with Les Gones’ first-team as a coach. The 45-year-old must have been confused and a bit nervous but the Frenchman indeed did a good http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Job-c18684 of not letting it show. “Honestly,
there was no stress but as usual, I was concerned about doing things right. I know I have started something that I’ve never done before,” admitted the young coach before resolutely pointing out that he is not new to football and should not be considered a
novice.
A neophyte showing no signs of inexperience
Many would argue that Claude Puel’s replacement is a neophyte at this level. Neophyte Garde must be for never having the chance to coach a first team. Furthermore, zero experience of overseeing the training sessions of a first-team naturally meant that all
eyes were on him as Les Gones resumed their training.
However, one could not stop noticing Garde’s demeanour throughout the training session. The former Lyon player was relaxed and extremely calm as he called upon his charges for a team huddle. Though Garde admits that several players would join and leave Lyon,
he will do with whatever players he has at his disposal.
Cesar Delgado and Jeremy Toulalan have already left the Rhone giants and the club is still looking for replacements for the departed duo. Gaps need to be filled and Garde knows that he must finish his business in the transfer window as soon as possible in
order to have a complete squad for preseason.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Miguel-Britos-c25544 is heavily linked with a move to Stade Gerland from Serie A side Bologna and Garde is looking at other options
as well.
Giving youth a chance
Upon his appointment, Garde reaffirmed his commitment to the Centre Tola Vologe and said that he would be looking to build Les Gones around one of the finest training centres http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 can offer.
“Youngsters may be given a chance but not because the team will lack seasoned professional, they will have to raise their level to prove it to us that they can be http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Real-c30728 professionals,” Garde said during his unveiling at a press conference a few weeks back.
A lesson of humility
Remi Garde admits that he is an ambitious person but knows that he should not think ahead of himself. With the club failing to land a single trophy in the last three years, the fans are getting desperate and a bit agitated. However, Garde has made it clear
that his biggest target for his first season at the club would be to win an automatic qualification to the UEFA Champions League.
“I am not going to allow myself to talk about the title. A return to a certain point of humility is part of the values that I learnt during my playing days and that’s what I want to talk about,” said Garde thus indicating clearly that Les Gones won’t be
talking about titles under his guidance - not as long as the club reaches to a point where it can assert its authority in Ligue 1 once again.
The words chosen by Remi Garde are practical and sensible. For some fans, Garde’s targets might be beyond comprehension. However, with the club currently in no position to stake title claims, Garde has done well to emphasize the importance of humility in
a club that has somewhat lost its way in recent seasons.
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