Transferred from Saint-Etienne to Chicago in MLS in January 2020, Robert Beric has bitter memories of Claude Puel. The Slovenian striker told France Football on Tuesday his feelings about the Greens coach.
Saint-Etienne is having a tough season in Ligue 1 with a disappointing sixteenth place in the standings eleven days from the end of the championship. With just five points ahead of the red zone, the Greens will fight to the end for maintenance. A situation for which one of the main culprits is none other than Claude Puel according to Robert Beric. Removed from ASSE after the technician’s arrival, the Slovenian striker is watching the situation from MLS and his new Chicago team. Disappointed but not really surprised.
“He was very direct. He told me he wanted a fast forward, who could dribble and do whatever more, and that he wanted to build the future around Charles Abi, regretted the 29-year-old striker in an interview with France Football magazine. I told him there was no reason for me to stay. (…) I accept that I am not part of a coach’s plans , it’s football. But I didn’t like the way… “
Surprised by the power of Puel in Saint-Etienne
Despite his good relationship with one of the two presidents of ASSE, Roland Romeyer, or his victorious goal in the derby against Lyon (1-0) two players after the arrival of Puel in October 2019, Robert Beric did not did not convince his coach and did not hesitate to press his management mistakes.
“I am surprised that he still has so much power in Saint-Etienne, despite the results, again let go of the player, notably past Anderlecht or Rapid Vienna. I had the impression that Puel would stay even if the club had bad results, and that’s what happened. […] Today he is in the second half of the table and loses 5-0 in the derby but is not even threatened. “
A problem of method
After the observations and criticisms of the technician from Saint-Etienne, Robert Beric tried to analyze the causes. And according to the man who has scored 12 goals in 23 games across the Atlantic, Claude Puel is not close enough to his players on a human level.
“From what I experienced in training, he gave the impression of being without emotion, finally detailed the Slovenian international to the 25 caps. He arrived at the beginning of the sessions like a dictator telling us to do this. and that, without ever smiling. It is an operation very different from the one I had known with Ghislain Printant, Jean-Louis Gasset or with any trainer before him. Puel seems difficult to live with. “
Under contract until June 2022, Claude Puel should see the end of his adventure at ASSE for his former protégé. Until then, the 59-year-old will be tasked with ensuring the Greens’ top-flight survival.
The maintain operation will continue on Wednesday, on Matchday 28 of Ligue 1, against Lens. Saint-Etienne will try to win after his last two poor performances.