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“I’m disappointed, because as a player you want to play more. I didn’t understand why [je ne jouais pas]. And even if it is like that, I have to support my teammates and trust that they will get the job done. »
This quote comes from Victor Wanyama. It was stated during an explosive end-of-season review of CF Montreal on Tuesday.
The club’s only designated player has hardly played since the League Cup. Out of 1,170 minutes since July 22, he has only played 137. This is because Hernán Losada preferred the young Nathan Saliba in midfield. Saliba deserved it, his place. But when the team’s highest-paid player no longer appears to be part of the head coach’s plans, questions arise.
“I went to see him so he could explain the reasons to me,” Wanyama continues. And he had no reason. I was surprised. »
PHOTO ERIC BOLTE, USA TODAY SPORTS, PROVIDED BY REUTERS
Out of 1,170 minutes since July 22, Victor Wanyama has only played 137.
” I waited. At first the team was winning. I respected the decision during this time. But when the results started getting bad, I expected something to be done. »
No less than six CF Montreal players appeared in front of the media on Tuesday at the Nutrilait Center. All were questioned about their relationship with Losada. Mathieu Choinière, Jonathan Sirois, Joel Waterman and Samuel Piette made comments that were generally positive – we will come back to this later – but Wanyama and Romell Quioto were the most critical. When he finally spoke on the microphone, the technician was defensive.
His response was mainly directed towards Wanyama.
“What I had to say to him, I told him while looking him in the eyes,” explains Losada. As I do with all players, with people around me who act as witnesses, and who listen. »
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Hernán Losada
“It’s a job that has its fair share of changes. I understand his frustration. This is the first time in his career that he has had to experience a situation like this. But at the same time, I think he realized that it’s a competitive sport, with internal competition. I just found that another player deserved to play more than him. »
Wanyama emphasizes that discussions took place with the coach “in the offices” to find possible solutions.
“But after that, we no longer have control over anything,” says the Kenyan. Whoever makes the final decision, they made it, and our opinion had no value. »
For their part, if Joel Waterman and Samuel Piette mention certain “disagreements”, they believe they have “a good relationship” with their head coach.
Losada sees this as proof that those who have negative things to say are those who “did not perform”.
“I hear all these comments, and they are normal. I can clearly see those who had a good season, who are satisfied with it despite the fact that we did not reach our goal, and those who are not. »
“Victor played 25 games,” he said. Then, a young academy player deserved more and more minutes. And yes, I made a tough decision. It’s not easy to put a guy like [Wanyama] on the bench. But I believed that an academy player deserved these minutes. And [Saliba] had a great season. »
Not a “point of no return”
Both men have a contract for next year. But is the relationship irreparable?
“The most important thing is that people talk to each other,” said sports director Olivier Renard, who acted as mediator on Tuesday.
“I also understand Hernán,” he said. There is the situation of a Saliba who is only growing. »
Perhaps a more equal rotation of players could have helped repair the bridges, says Renard, even if he does not “think it is at the point of no return”.
Victor doesn’t give me the impression of holding a grudge. Neither does the coach. It’s up to me in the middle to see the situation. But the option of having both back is a possibility.
Olivier Renard, sports director of CF Montreal
Wanyama believes he could indeed be back next year. Under certain conditions, it seems.
“I have a contract with CF Montreal, but not with him,” he said, obviously speaking of Losada.
“I don’t understand why I have to wait”
Romell Quioto comes to the stage. He sits down. And let out a long sigh. “Ooooh, man. »
It begins well.
His contract ends this year. Does he think he will be back next year?
“I don’t know,” he said through an interpreter. No one has spoken to me until today. Maybe it’s time to go home until someone calls me. »
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Romell Quioto
He emphasizes that he has a personal interest in trying his luck in Europe, but that his first choice is “to stay” in Montreal.
“I know the club and the city, I like being here. In all honesty, I don’t know why I have to wait until the last day to hear from someone. »
This is probably because “the offensive sector will have to be reworked”, says Olivier Renard.
Quioto scored 15 goals in 2022 and was named the club’s MVP that year. But his long medical history – he was absent for four months in 2023 – as well as his age do not make him the perfect candidate for relaunching the CF Montreal attack.
“I’ll let you guess the salary demands” of such a player, adds Renard.
“We could or should have extended it for two or three years” last year, he emphasizes. “I don’t want to say that I did the right thing not to extend it at that time, but I hope that you put yourself in the place of a director who has to sign important contracts for several years, with someone ‘one who is 32 now. »
Renard adds that he had discussions with Quioto, who remains a leader with “importance in the locker room”.
“Most of all I thanked him. I don’t know if he’s going to be there next year. We’re going to discuss it. »