Didier Deschamps has been getting to know the OM squad since Tuesday and announces his «pleasure of being back out on the pitch.» He gives his opinions on pre-season and his vision for the squad.
Didier Deschamps has, since Tuesday, finally pulled on his mantle of OM manager. After two seasons away from the bench, he is reunited with what he loves the most. «I love being out on the pitch, being able to speak with the players, to watch them, that is my passion » he stated on Wednesday in front of the Press. After the tests carried out on Monday and lunch with the squad at the club’s headquarters, the coach programmed physical exercises on Tuesday morning and ballwork in the afternoon. A real return to business for the European champion of 1993 who is quickly refinding his feet. «You never lose it. I’m getting back down to work with the medical and technical staff and Guy Stephan. I’m not too worried about the planning and content of the work» he says with a smile on his face.
Even if the squad is not at full strength for the moment the first contact went down «very easily » according to him, before adding: «I haven’t made any great statements of intention as I don’t have all my players back yet. I spoke about what we would be doing over the two days (Tuesday and Wednesday). I’ll have a bit more time once we are at the training camp (in Evian) from Thursday to talk to individuals and to start getting down to details.» Because of the absence of the international players and the new recruits, the squad at the moment is not the one which will kick-off the new season. Whilst waiting for the big kick-off, the OM manager has drawn up some rules, like having to wear the clubs gear «when the players are representing the club on the road, or anywhere else.» «There are clothes that are the same for everyone. This common identity is very important» he continues.
An extra forward
Didier Deschamps, who knew the old Commanderie of the start of the 1990’s, was delighted with the evolution of the site over the last few years. «That is where you see that as a club OM have grown, men come and go but the club remains what is really important. The infrastructure is vital. The working conditions are great, with another building soon to be ready. It is very important for a manager» he declared.
With the hard work still to come, Didier Deschamps has been able to give his opinion on what he would like his OM side to look like. «I prefer quality to quantity. I’m not here to destroy what was in place, but we have a jigsaw to finish together. Things can change on a daily basis but the route ahead is very clear. I know the value of the current squad and what they did last season. Things may well still change, but we have to find a certain balance. Our ai mis to build up the quality, the power and the pace of the squad, which is something I believe to be indispensable at the top level» he states, at the same time giving his objective as far as the squad goes: «Ideally we want to double every post as well as having three keepers and bringing through some youngsters.»
Amongst the stated objectives, he announces his desire to bring in an extra striker after the sale of Djibril Cissé. «He will need qualities and be able to offer me other options. In losing Djibril, I know I am losing a goalscorer, and centre forward, he esteems, I have a lot of quality with Niang, Brandao, Ben Arfa, Koné or Samassa but in view of all our objectives and what I want to put in place, we need an extra player numerically and quality wise.» Slowly but surely, OM are getting ready for the forthcoming competition.
