In Forez, winter has followed summer. After a great start, with three wins to start the season without conceding a goal, the Greens have accumulated since the poor performances, until today flirting with the relegation zone.
The defeat against Rennes (3-0) at the end of September initiated the plummet of the Stéphanois, passed from the position of leader to 15th rank, before the 11th day of Ligue 1.
Over this period, it’s simple, the Greens have not won a match. Worse, they lost them all! Six consecutive defeats which put a strain on the youth project led by coach Claude Puel.
The departure of young Wesley Fofana to Leicester for 35 million euros, weakened the defensive sector, further affected by injuries, a case of Covid-19 (Moukoudi) or suspensions.
Playing to win makes sense, that’s what we try to do in every game.
Claude Puel
“We have to win. We are aware of the situation and we owe it to ourselves to break this spiral,” insists coach Claude Puel.
“But the question is: how do we get there? That’s what counts. Playing to win is logic, that’s what we try to do in all matches but the most important thing is to stay + focus + on the game and the means to return to victory, “insists the technician.
Why Puel is not threatened
Despite the sporting situation, the latter does not seem threatened.
Already, his salary of more than 200,000 euros a month gross, according to several media, with a contract running until 2022 does not allow ASSE to financially allow itself a dismissal. And in addition, Puel (58 years old), general manager of the club, sits on the Management Board.
He is therefore linked to the two shareholders, Bernard Caïazzo and Roland Romeyer, with the aim of building a sporting and economic model by relying, more than in the past, on young people with high potential, whether or not from Saint-Etienne training. , supervised by experienced players.