Named President of OGC Nice earlier this week, Gauthier Ganaye was presented to the press on Friday at midday, after meeting with the employees of the club, and just before heading off to Lille, where the Aiglons will face the Dogues this evening for Week 23 of L1 (kick-off at 8.45pm). The Gym’s new leader discussed his methods and revealed his ambitions.

What is your first reaction as President of OGC Nice?

I want to thank Chien (Lee) and the whole of the Board for the trust they have put in me. I am delighted to join OGC Nice, which I consider to be a very big French club. I am also delighted to finally be able to talk. (To the journalists) I will finally be able to answer your questions, I know that you have all tried to get me to speak, but the timing was complicated.

You mention “the timing” of your arrival, can you tell us more? 

As you know, the discussions have been going on for a while, but these are things that take time. We thought that it wasn’t the best thing for both clubs for it to happen at that time. But at the same time, when you are in my position, you don’t choose the ideal timing: when an opportunity like this presents itself, you have to take it.  

What is your main objective as President?

The main job is dictated by recent events at the club off of the pitch. The  most important thing in the very short term is to try to reassure people and to bring together everyone at the club and to rally round the institution that is OGC Nice. And then of course, we will need to start to work with Patrick (Vieira) to see what will happen with the transfer window this summer.

Does your age (30 years old) represent a barrier to your success?

I am used to answering this question. To be very clear, I have always been very young in every role that I have taken on. There’s nothing really to say. I feel like I am in the right place at the right time. 

What are you wary of in this role? 

My ambition was to get to a position like this. I have never tried to hide that. I am aware of the responsibility that now lies on my shoulders, and once again, OGC Nice is a very big French club. I come here with lots of humility and determination because it’s a huge challenge for me. But I have never been afraid of challenges.

“We are not going to create a revolution” 

What will your recruitment policy be?

I have heard a lot of talk about the trading of players in recent weeks. It’s not a swear word. The first role of most clubs is trading. What we will try to do is to convert the Gym’s sporting successes on the pitch into an increase in revenues, in  order to be a little less dependent on the trading of players, even though there will always be an element of that. When you are involved in this kind of activity, the investment in players under 25 years old and in the academy are the two most important areas. But yet when we talk about “young talent”, we often use the word “experience”. But for me, a player who is 21 and has already played more than 100 times professionally has more experience than a 26 year old with less match time. Age isn’t always the right criteria, I am well placed to talk about that. Does that mean that Nice will never have another 26 year old with international experience? Of course not!We need to be open to everything... We won’t create a revolution, it’s a system that OGC Nice has been using for many years and it works very well. 

What about the use of data in the recruitment process?

At Barnsley, one of the shareholders of the club is called Billy Bean, a pioneer in the use of data in baseball and American sport. The principle is simple: When you buy a player, there is always a chance of getting it wrong. The objective is to reduce that risk as much as possible. The more information you have when making the decision, the less likely you are to make a mistake. Football is a bit behind other sports in this area. All big clubs use data, but the term means everything and nothing at the same time. 

Is Gervais Martel your role model?

When you spend four and half years alongside Gervais, you learn a lot. Lots of good things, but also certain errors not to make. I learnt from him, we have different styles but there are similarities. 

Can you confirm contact with Gilles Grimandi for the role of Sporting Director?

I will not be confirming anything. Before talking about anyone, I want to work out what we have already. It wouldn’t be right to start looking for people for roles, if there are already people in place. We will look at that calmly, but a club like OGC Nice will always be looking for the best in every area. You mention Gilles Grimandi, there is no need to detail the quality of what he has done in his career.

“A football club lives through and for its supporters” 

What does your schedule hold for the coming days?

I met the staff this morning. I couldn’t imagine travelling to Lille without having taken the time to say hello. This evening, before the match, I will see the coach, but not for long, as I don’t want to interrupt him ahead of the main event of the day. On Monday, I will speak with the directors of the various departments. I want to understand how the club works because it is out of the question that I will try to change something that is already working very well. We will, however, identify and focus on the things we need to improve. I need to feel what it is to be OGC Nice, to speak with all of the institutions in the region. I am really going to surround myself with the club. Finally, there is another crucial thing to do, which I would have liked to have done today, but that proved impossible due to timings, which is to meet with the groups of supporters.  

Can you tell us more? 

For me, a football club lives through and for its supporters. I want to set up a real dialogue with them. In French football, there are very few real “people” clubs, like   OGC Nice. A real focus on the club’s identity has been done in recent years, we need to continue in this way, that is vital. I will have a direct and transparent relationship with the supporters, I intend to meet with them regularly, as I have done in the clubs where I have previously worked. 

Are you aware of their concerns?

I fully understand them. It is natural and human. When you have leaders for a period of a number of years, who have had success and with whom there has been a dialogue; and then you go through a period where there are leaks in the press, where I was unable to communicate with them and where the club unfortunately didn’t manage to secure any signings, that will lead to frustration. So yes, I understand their concerns, but I want us to start afresh. The supporters ask questions, I will answer them without a problem. I want to meet them so that we can learn to get to know each other. They had a relationship with Jean-Pierre (Rivère) and Julien (Fournier), but a relationship isn’t created in an hour, it takes time. We will start out on this road together as quickly as possible. I have already asked to find a date for next week.

Finally, have you been in touch with Jean-Pierre Rivère and Julien Fournier?

I haven’t yet spoken with them, but I plan to meet them next week. It’s important, particularly during a period which has been slightly agitated. They have both worked exceptionally and have taken  OGC Nice into a new dimension. The club has always been a very big French club through its history, its identity and supporters, but under the leadership of Jean-Pierre Rivère, it has also become a very big French club through its infrastructure. The training ground and stadium demonstrate that. It’s essential that I have a quality discussion with Jean-Pierre and Julien.

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