So why did Wilfried Nancy decide to leave CF Montreal? According to the principal concerned, “it was time to leave”.
“The club was aware that I wanted to leave for a long time,” said the new head coach of the Columbus Crew, late Tuesday afternoon, in a videoconference organized for the Montreal media.
“From there, I was loyal to the club. I am not saying that the club did not want to retain me, of course. But things were clear about that. »
A few hours earlier, the president of the CFM Gabriel Gervais had given more details on the thread of events.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
CF Montreal President and CEO Gabriel Gervais
And the evening of July 9, during which President Joey Saputo and Wilfried Nancy had an altercation in front of the players’ locker room, is at the center of the story.
Nancy made a formal request to leave the club after this loss against Sporting Kansas City, at Saputo Stadium.
Then, “he changed his mind”, explained Gervais, Tuesday, at the Center Nutrilait. “He decided to stay and finish the season. And some […], we decided not to talk about a contract or an option until the end of the season. Looking back, we saw the performance of the team, and it was the right decision to make. »
When asked when the first contact with the Crew came, Nancy refuses to answer. “I was contacted by the Crew, normally, as it should be done with all coaches. »
The question is contentious, under a potential raiding issue mentioned by Olivier Renard during the assessment, and again by Gabriel Gervais on Tuesday.
“Me, I hope that there was no raiding, indicates the president. It’s really the league that is in charge of that. We followed the rules. Personally, I really don’t like it. It appealed to me. I worked with the league to protect the interests of CF Montreal. »
” As soon as [Columbus] asked my permission to speak with Wilfried Nancy, the rest of the process went well. »
A process that began in due form three weeks ago, he says.
An irreparable relationship with Saputo?
Gabriel Gervais tells an important anecdote, which gives a different perspective on the relationship between Wilfried Nancy and Joey Saputo.
After the playoff loss to New York City FC, the owner asked Nancy to come into the locker room to address the team. The coach agrees.
” [Joey] spoke very honestly that the team had exceeded their expectations, reveals Gervais. He in turn thanked various members of the organization, he thanked the players. He thanked Will specifically for his work. Previously, he had even reached out, but it was not reciprocated. At some point, when you hit a wall like that, you have to move on. »
The question is put to Nancy directly by colleague Jean-Luc Legendre by videoconference. Did he leave the club because of a personality conflict with Joey Saputo?
The coach takes a long, long time to respond. Then limits himself to saying: “I am leaving for a whole. So my decision is made. »
We then try to dig a little deeper. Was your relationship with the owner irreparable?
“I repeat: my role was to continue and finish the season well. From there, I’m very happy with how it ended, because I continued my work knowing that things had been clear. […] I’m leaving grown up, I’m leaving happy, I’m leaving for a new adventure. »
Gabriel Gervais assures “with conviction” that Nancy’s motivations were not financial.
“Personally, I told him that if there was an offer, we were ready to match it. He refused. We didn’t even have the chance to get there. »
The president also maintains that he himself “led all the discussions”.
“I worked in close collaboration with Olivier Renard. I report to a Board of Directors that includes Joey Saputo as Chairman of the Board Every decision is made with the Board”
Is he disappointed with the turn of events?
“In complete transparency, yes,” said the president. My wish was to continue with Will. I really appreciate him as a coach, as a person. Unfortunately, we couldn’t agree. »
“We want people who want to be here, who believe in the project, who really believe in our philosophy. And Wilfried wasn’t there anymore, so we moved on. »
“No comparison to be made”
“I believe a lot in the moment,” explains Wilfried Nancy, sitting in the Crew locker room.
He vaguely refers to an “exercise”, 5-6 years ago, during which he “got to know himself”.
“I’m very proud of that. Having learned to know me, all the decisions I make are always consistent with the person I am. »
We seem to hear in his remarks a link with his famous dear “values” to which he referred when commenting on the altercation with Saputo, a few days after it last summer.
“If I made this decision, it’s because it’s consistent with a new project, with what I want to put in place. »
“I was in Montreal from around 2010. I spent a lot of time there and learned a lot. I’m wiser, I’ve grown, I’m more mature. It was time for me to quit and do something different. There is no comparison to be made between the two clubs. It’s a new project. I can’t wait to start and I’m happy here. »
CF Montreal compensated
Wilfried Nancy was under contract until 2023. And so, in order for the Crew to talk to him, he had to come to an agreement with CF Montreal for compensation. The sum received is confidential, explains Gervais. Asked to comment on this, as well as the transfer amounts received recently with the sales of Ismaël Koné, Alistair Johnston and Djordje Mihailovic, the president underlines that these are not “lump sums that we receive all at once the first year “.
“It depends on the deal. We will spend this money responsibly. We will continue on our trajectory to obtain good young players and develop them. »
Note that assistant Kwamé Ampadu, physical trainer Jules Guéguen and video analyst Maxime Chalier followed Nancy to Columbus.
THEY SAID
Laurent is here to stay. He did a phenomenal job with our defenders in particular. Almost all of our Canadian defensemen have been selected with our national team. […] There is a lot of respect. He is very close to our players. Laurent, if he wants to stay, he will stay.
Gabriel Gervais, on the retention of Laurent Ciman
With what Will has done with his last club in the past two years, there was no way he wasn’t our man. The way in which [les joueurs du CF Montréal jouaient], it was entertaining. They were scoring goals. Had the skill to dictate the game. From the start, when we saw that [Nancy] was now available, it became our target.
Crew President and CEO Tim Bezbatchenko
I am a soccer coach. I love my job and I’m passionate about the game. I love people. Yes, I’m a coach, but it’s very important to understand people. By doing this, we will be able to do something very good. […] When I first came here to this stadium, when I was on the pitch, I got chills. I’m from Europe and this stadium is better than some in Europe.
Wilfried Nancy, during his official presentation with the Columbus Crew, Tuesday morning