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The former Aiglon has been coaching the U19 Nationaux since the start of pre-season. Assistant of the U17s, Emerse Faé will continue his coaching journey with the same players. A source of squad cohesion that he intends to make the most of in the coming season. Interview.

Moving from the U17s to the U19s, was this something that you wanted to do?

Since I ended my playing career, my objective has been to take each step one after the other, whilst at the same time learning as much as possible from each experience. To start with the U17s was a good introduction. At that age, they are already joining the academy with an interesting level. However, after 5 years with this age group, I wanted to try something else, and especially to work with older and more experienced players. Alongside them, I can continue to learn.

What differences have you noticed between the two teams?

I can't keep the same style. With the U17s, I needed to be a lot more educational, because the youngsters were just discovering the academy and the top level. Now, with the U19s, I can be more demanding because they have more experience.

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This change allows you the chance to follow players that you have been working with for two years now. Is that a strength for the squad?

During their first two years, they have already progressed a lot. The guys know what I ask for, as well as the methods that I use. From my side of things, I know their strengths and weaknesses. That speeds things up and makes our work easier. We are going to make the most of this squad cohesion to show us as a united team when we play against teams with strong potential.

''I am pleasantly surprised''

How have the training sessions been going since the start of pre-season?

Very well! I am even surprised that they are going so well. All of the players are engaged, fully concentrated and invested in the work. I sense a desire that I hadn't necessarily seen in the previous two pre-seasons. After an initial week of medical and physical tests, we got straight down to business so that we can attack the league in the best way possible.

What are your objectives, both personal and for the team as you enter this new challenge?

The main objective remains the same: prepare as many players as possible so that they can pass into the N2 during the season. Now, we will participate in the Gambardella, a trophy that I won when I started with Nantes. Ironic in some ways, because the other finalist was OGC Nice, with Alain Wathelet (the current OGC Nice Academy Director) as manager. I would love to gift him this Cup which I stole from him in 2002. Even for the lads, it would be a great story.

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