Claude Puel is under contract with AS Saint-Etienne until 2022. Recently, an extension was mentioned but not sure that this is the will of many in the Forez. Indeed, since his arrival a year and a half ago, the manager of the Greens has experienced absolutely catastrophic results, which he justifies by the need to straighten out finances by putting young people forward. Many supporters would like to see him leave, replaced for example by a Laurent Batlles, whose work is hired in Troyes, which he led to the top of Ligue 2.
“The players and the staff are fully into their project”
Problem, the City Group, owner of ESTAC, is very satisfied with Batlles’ work and does not intend to part with it, as Brian Marwood, its CEO, said in an interview with L’Est-Eclair: “The ambition is Ligue 1. The important thing is that the game played is in line with that of Manchester City. Troyes plays good football with good players. It takes patience, a lot of work, a strategy. We are working on all these aspects to create a lasting model in L1. There are still eight games to play, we must remain humble. This is only the beginning of the project. Laurent Batlles is an emerging young coach. his management, things are going very well. He started his adventure in a very positive way with a long-term objective, a very rich and rewarding approach. The impact of the CFG in the winter transfer window was not significant because we had confidence in Laurent Batlles and his group. We did not want to make dramatic changes, but simply to make changes. touches to improve the group. “
“There will be a lot of work to be done in the event of a climb. At the present time, we are preparing two scenarios, the L1 and the L2. We will sit around a table with Laurent. Thanks to our network of scouts, recruiters at world level, we will work to find the players he wants, without interfering too much in the way he conducts operations. We want the closest possible collaboration, with Laurent and with all the people of the club. The objective is to bring the team where Laurent wants to take it. I am in contact three or four times a week with the sports director or the coach. The players and staff are fully into their project. They have the capacity to go to the end. Now is not the time to put pressure on yourself but to have fun. “
🧤 After Nabil #Ouennas, it’s Noah’s turn #Raveyre, young porter of the #Training and international U16 🇫🇷 to participate in the session with the pros! pic.twitter.com/Rwq5WcT5kI
– AS Saint-Étienne (@ASSEofficiel) March 31, 2021