Those who were waiting for the “Domenech show” for its official presentation as FC Nantes coach were logically at their expense this Thursday at the beginning of the afternoon. The former coach of the Blues, 68, on the contrary played the card of the repentant and the one who wants to leave the past behind him.
At ease quickly, the former coach of the Blues dribbled, with his usual verbal agility, the embarrassing questions of a press room especially hostile to the absent president Waldemar Kita. He distilled his messages like a politician who returns to power and who says he is changed and matured by his crossing of the desert.
A peaceful relationship with the media
Forgotten the provocateur avid for shocking formulas like that of “the smell of blood” before a decisive match of the Blues in Romania in 2008. As an involuntary echo, he spoke of his happiness to find “the smell of the lawn. There are no words to describe it ”. In his preamble, Domenech wanted to be humble. “I spent a few years in the media and I understand your needs better. I will try not to repeat my mistakes. I am in the sharing and the pleasure […] I’m not talking about the media game more of the relationship with the media. I will never get angry. I am neither obtuse nor stubborn […] The number of nonsense that I have been able to say as a player or a coach, we cannot erase them but we can move forward. “
Waldemar Kita “coach devourer”
“I’m the 17th coach since he’s been here. There will be an 18th and then a 19th. I came without a career plan. If that goes well, we will work well together. “When asked if its president will interfere in his sporting choices, he decides” it will not happen. The guarantee is me, and the question does not arise ”. And when we tell him about his first training session while supporters were playing circus music, he still dribbles: “I’ve seen Brazilian or African teams train to music, you know. Music, there is also some in the locker room! “
His desire to lead is still there
“I came with a stroke of heart, of happiness. I feel like I never stopped. For two days, this has been the essence of who I am. I am fundamentally an educator. I come to have fun. Then, obviously like everywhere, it is the matches which will make the truth. “
Knysna bus episode is forgotten
“I wrote a book called Alone on this story. It is worth 19.90 euros. It is also in paperback. Here, I could even offer it to the players (smiles). But I got rid of it. The story will not change but I live in the present. I am serene and comfortable in my skin. The rest can be removed. “
His mission among the Canaries
Domenech strongly refused the expression “firefighter on duty” even if he only signed for six months while Nantes is 17th in the standings. “It looks like a commando operation but it’s like the Canada Dry: it looks but it’s not that. “
