Djordje Mihailovic felt “on top of the world” on Wednesday morning after the announcement of his possible transfer to AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands. Until he had to come down abruptly.
Posted at 4:41 p.m.
His father waited for the end of his training at Center Nutrilait before contacting him. And to tell him that his grandmother had passed away that very morning.
“It’s difficult,” commented Djordje Mihailovic, Thursday, during a press briefing. He addresses the subject himself before answering a first question about his transfer to Europe.
“Yesterday was a bittersweet day. […] It was hard to manage. In the morning, everything was fine. Then my dad broke the bad news to me as I was walking home. »
But despite the circumstances, there is a more positive aspect: CF Montreal’s next game is in Chicago, against the Fire. His home.
“It’s a coincidence that my next game is at home. It’s good, because I’ll be able to see my father. »
“He made a career choice”
Olivier Renard confirmed Thursday at Center Nutrilait that the transfer of Djordje Mihailovic is the most important ever made by CF Montreal in financial terms. While the club’s sporting director cannot testify to the exact amount, he indicates that the sum “would be in the waters” of that which has circulated in the media – more than 6 million American dollars.
PHOTO DENIS GERMAIN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
CF Montreal sports director Olivier Renard
He points out that in MLS, “it is an obligation of the league to be transparent” in terms of numbers. Unlike European clubs.
Renard can however confirm that in the event that Mihailovic is sold by AZ, a “percentage” will go to CF Montreal.
Also, was AZ Alkmaar the club that offered the best offer?
“There were clubs that could go higher, reveals Renard. I haven’t always talked about it with Djordje because there were championship clubs where I didn’t see him play. […] Maybe we could have won something more, but that was not the principle. »
If he does not know exactly what he signed there, Renard says he is “convinced that he could have had more elsewhere”. “He made a career choice, too. »
Europe in the lead
It was Mihailovic’s wish to come full circle on his career in Montreal before realizing his dream of playing in Europe.
“I wouldn’t have felt good if I had left Montreal in the middle of the season,” commented the player. Especially given the way we play. I’m really happy that the two clubs got along. »
This is a statement that says a lot about the journey that Mihailovic had in the metropolis.
“Everyone knew that Djordje wanted to go to Europe, recalls Renard. Chicago had been frank with us [lors de son acquisition en 2020], saying that he was a player who had Europe in mind. »
“I’ve always said it. It’s not a prison here. There is no obligation to stay. […] He is very grateful for what the club has done. That’s what we want to do with our players. »
“I cheated on my wife”
And there is one person in particular who helped him on this journey: Wilfried Nancy.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
CF Montreal head coach Wilfried Nancy
“I would like to thank Will, because he was tough on me,” Mihailovic said. But he also took me under his wing. It gave me the perfect balance between hardness and support. I will never regret coming to Montreal, because it made me take two or three more steps in my career. »
And you, Wilfried, what is your relationship with Djordje Mihailovic?
He takes a moment to respond.
“I cheated on my wife,” he blurts out, causing general hilarity.
“It’s a professional relationship, but also a relationship that we live in a couple. There were times when I had to be brutally honest with him. There were times when I had to be close to him. A lot of requirements for the player, and afterwards, a lot of empathy and benevolence with the person. »
Nancy talks about a “super interesting project” with Mihailovic. And says he is “very, very proud” to see him fly away today.
“I’m happy, that means I’m not too bad as a coach,” he says.
“I congratulate my staff. That’s a beautiful story. […] With my staff, we found the lever to help him progress. »
Did the club pop the champagne after the deal was finally done? Not yet, says Olivier Renard.
“If ever there is a day of champagne, it will be for what the team has achieved” at the end of the season.
“Afterwards, am I going to serve him the first drink?” Maybe. »