CF Montreal owner Joey Saputo has made it clear what he wants from his new president and CEO: for his club to regain its relevance.
This is what Saputo affirmed during the press conference aiming to confirm Gabriel Gervais in his new role with the team for which he played between 2002 and 2008, on Tuesday.
The day before, CF Montreal had announced the appointment of the 45-year-old man for the position previously occupied by Kevin Gilmore and vacant since last November.
“Overall, his mission will be to regain the relevance that the team and the organization have already had in our market,” claimed the owner.
“If I look at the history of the organization, even before we were in Major League Soccer (MLS), it felt when there were Impact games. There were people with club shirts in the city. We were more present with our partners,” he added during the question period.
“We lost that and you have to look at why.”
A margin of maneuver
Gervais thinks he is the right man for this mission.
“Very humbly, I am confident that my wealth of experience and knowledge can help bring the club to another level. And also, to make CF Montreal a recognized and appreciated team in our community, in our city, in our province, across Canada, as well as internationally.”
The former player also set his conditions before taking the job.
“I asked Joey and the board to allow me to make mistakes and they said yes,” he revealed. When I was a player, I asked for this leeway to try things, express myself and take risks. It has served me well. I ask the same, now that I am president of the club.
The name is here to stay
Gervais was obviously asked about the change of name and identity, which has created a huge stir since December 2020.
“I know that the Impact name and logo is a sensitive issue for everyone and was sensitive for me as well.”
“When I heard the news, I did not understand how it was communicated. The reason for the change of name from the Impact to CF Montreal was in a vision to put the city and the community at the center of the team. That, I fully understand.”
“I’m okay with that. What I can tell you today is that the name is here to stay.”
For its part, Saputo has offered an olive branch to supporters who are calling for a return to the Impact name.
“If you have the name Impact in your heart and want to sing it out loud, do it,” he said.
A dream
Gervais was very happy in his professional life, but he could not miss the opportunity to “come home”.
“It is a great honor and a privilege for me. […] It’s a dream come true,” he said.
Previously, Gervais was associated with the Montreal office of Deloitte, one of the largest professional services firms in the world.
“I had no intention of leaving. I saw myself at 62 retiring as a partner. The only place I would have left Deloitte for is here. Coming back with my club that I love and also coming back to soccer. It was the opportunity of a lifetime.”
In the coming weeks and months, Gervais intends to familiarize himself with the various structures of the club and also has to travel a little with the team.