How did you react to the departure of Xavier Thuilot?
“Compared to Xavier, I can say he is a very competent, very honest, and very hard worker. There is a decision that has been made, I don’t want to comment on it because I want to send something positive into our action and keep moving forward. I wish Xavier the best for the future because he deserves it. In any case, he worked, was very operational and contributed a lot to ASSE. “
We knew that his presence was a condition of your coming. Could the fact that he was fired have any short or medium term consequences on your future at the club?
“Question my investment? “
No, that the conditions are no longer met to carry out your project?
“Those who know me know that when I’m in something, I do everything to make it move forward and I don’t go back. There is something very important to achieve in this club. I consider myself on a mission. From the outside, I had a certain perception of the club’s situation but not so financially and even sportingly. And once we’re there, we move forward, we roll up our sleeves. This is what drives me even though it comes in the face of adversity. The situation was already out of the ordinary before the pandemic compared to a previous sports policy which had strongly impacted the finances of ASSE and it is further amplified today by what all clubs have to face. We are in the same boat as our competitors: no more TV rights or ticket revenues. It’s very, very tough. That’s why I want to stay the course, stick with it, especially in the face of adversity, and stick to it. That’s how we’ll get out of it. “
“Compared to all the speculation around my case, I’m past the age”
Does the Thuilot episode affect your relationship with your presidents?
“There is a decision that has been made and I want to be pragmatic about it. In this kind of situation, I like to behave professionally. We worked well with Xavier, we welcome Jean-François Soucasse and I wish us a very good collaboration for the good of the club. I want to keep moving forward. “
Do you feel supported by your leaders in relation to the project?
” Of course. The speculations around my case? I’m past the age. It is the club that is weakened for all the reasons listed, not me. I do not define a project and apply it as I see fit. The club is financially impacted by the pandemic, by this broadcaster story and cannot be an actor in the transfer window. We have to move ASSE forward in the short term and prepare for the future in the medium term. With the leaders, we try to manage the present as best as possible without compromising the future. There is no other project unfortunately or fortunately because we are going back to the roots of ASSE, relying more heavily on his training and on the level of playing principles even if it is difficult. “
“What is important for the players is to know my situation”
Can the group be weakened by what is going on around?
“What is important for the players is to know my situation. They did not have a daily relationship with Xavier who was in the workings of the club. He had of course a leading role. Some players have come because I signed with ASSE and maybe some are wondering. The important thing is to give guarantees regarding my investment and the way I see things. There is no reason to think that there is anything in particular. “
Have you been notified and consulted about the arrival of Jean-François Soucasse?
“I don’t want to comment on Xavier’s departure and Jean-François’s arrival. Of course I had a discussion with Jean-François Soucasse to explain to him where we were, the project, to update him on the situation of the club in all its components, especially on the financial aspect. He is able to take over and work well. “