Ghislain Printant: "I incarnate the continuity of a project"

How have you welcomed your appointment to the position of coach of AS Saint-Étienne?

I would never have imagined finding myself in this position, it was a great surprise. Since the end of last season, I’ve felt that I was the priority during my discussions with the presidents Bernard Caïazzo and Roland Romeyer. I’m very proud to be the coach of this club. ASSE gave me a dream, I’ve loved this club since I was very young. My dream was practically realized when the presidents called me to assist Jean-Louis Gasset. I’m going to commit all my energy to continuing the work accomplished these last eighteen months with Jean-Louis Gasset. I incarnate the continuity of a Sports Project. But I know how to bring my personal touch to try to improve what must be improved. I’m ready. Anyway, I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t ready. We’re going to have everything in place that we need so that we can perform well in the four competitions that await us. I dare to hope that we’ll play as many matches as possible: that’s the message that the players will hear.

Will the fact that you’re number one change your relationship with the players and your method of managing the training sessions?

We’re going to continue the work undertaken with Julien Sablé and Fabrice Grange who were assisting me last season with the management of the training sessions. I’m not going to completely change the way in which we operated in the locker room. There will be some small adjustments, obviously, but that will be done in the same spirit invoked by Jean-Louis Gasset: in close collaboration with the entirety of the team, especially the main players in whom I have great confidence. For me, dialogue is essential. It’s a key factor for success. Of course, I’ll take a step back during the training sessions. Laurent (Huard) will assist me and help me to have an overview of the team. He’s someone who I’ve known as a player then as an instructor. He’s already adjusted to this club, he’s worn the club’s jersey and that’s a factor that impacted my decision. He’s also familiar with the assistant position and the challenge of training. He’s thus a professional who fits perfectly into the project of the club. Yesterday, we had a meeting with the entire staff to put a framework into place. Anyway, I like the field and I’ll continue to work on it with the players.

What are your objectives concerning the transfer window?

Our desire was to maintain last season’s team. The players under contract that we wished to keep are with us for this resumption. Today I find a team among whose players there is mutual trust. We’re waiting for five-six players to strengthen the team at key positions in order to be competitive in every competition. The youths are also going to join the professional team because their integration is part of our Sports Project. It’s important to have harmony between the main players and the youths so that the latter progress in the same fashion as William Saliba last season.