Claude Puel spoke at a press conference after Nice secured their top-flight status with a 4-1 victory over Saint-Étienne in the second leg of the relegation play-off at the Allianz Riviera.

Is it a huge relief tonight?

I’m very proud of what the players have managed to achieve in these circumstances, in such a difficult situation. And then, right up to the end, having to extend the season and fight for survival in a final match, it’s absolutely mad. To see my players like that, so united, and once again in a situation that went against us, as we opened the scoring, we lost two players to injury who we had to substitute at half-time, another penalty – like the other penalties we’ve conceded this season – and against the run of play, and then to see them react in this way and make the difference with a superb second half, it’s amazing. Under these circumstances, it’s very emotional for everyone. I’d like to thank my players and my staff, who have been absolutely rock-solid. We’ve been heavily criticised from the outside, but to have experienced a season like this and these six months with them, and all these setbacks, what they’ve achieved under pressure is really impressive. We’re delighted for our supporters, we’re delighted for the staff, and within the club, the sense of unity has been extraordinary. No one has hidden, and that’s brilliant. And when you have a scenario like this, an incredibly difficult one, a completely mad season that ends in this way, I think it leaves its mark, and it will leave a deep mark on the staff, the players, the club, and the supporters too, who have suffered. But I think there are a lot of players who are going to grow from this.

Elye Wahi was a key factor tonight and throughout the second half of the season…

Elye was decisive, he was our standout player, once again tonight. As soon as he wasn’t there, we felt his absence. In the first leg, we drew 0–0 without creating any chances, I think Elye was indispensable, he was our go-to man. I’m very happy for him because he was looking for a challenge to get back on track. He chose us, we gave him a chance, but he’s repaid us threefold. And then to see him now playing in a World Cup, it’s wonderful for him. I’m very happy for him.

We were speaking to your captain Dante a few minutes ago, he told us that tonight’s match was one of the top five most memorable moments of his football career. Where would you rank tonight’s match?

I don’t know where to rank it, I’ve been through quite a lot, but I’ve never gone this far with a club, especially in a season where we’ve had to play in the play-offs. It’s the first time, and then having to face so much adversity… I’ve had my share at my various clubs, but this time it was tough, it was absolutely mad. And once again, to come out of it with our heads held high, to overcome everything that came our way and all those setbacks, there’s a great sense of shared emotion.

How did you find playing this match behind closed doors?

It was a bit strange. We knew we had to take control of the game, in fact, that’s what was said at the start, because the Saint-Étienne bench kept shouting and making their presence felt. Then, as the match went on, we heard them less and less. It’s true that it’s very unusual, but when you look at the way the game unfolded, the goals, the second half, the quality we showed, the fact that we didn’t have the fans there and couldn’t share those moments with them is a shame. When there’s a performance like that, it’s meant to be shared with the fans.

After the match, Elye Wahi said: “I hope the manager stays on next year.” Do you want that to happen?

I don’t have an answer to that question, because when you’re in a difficult situation right to the end, fighting to avoid relegation, you have a job to do and you focus on that. You don't get distracted, you don't think about what comes next. Right now, honestly, I haven't thought about what comes next, I have absolutely no idea what I'll do, I really don't know. Right now, it's just the satisfaction of having gone all the way and that it's ended in the best possible way. Once again, I’m very proud of the players, my staff, the directors, my two presidents who have been incredibly strong, the staff and the fans too, who let us focus on this match after the Coupe de France game. They didn’t interfere and they were rewarded for it as well. Everyone was united in securing our survival. I think the players gave their very best tonight in terms of attitude, character and quality. It’s extraordinary. Experiencing a season like this isn’t like a mid-table campaign where you’re just quietly securing survival. When you go through a season like this, it’s tough, but it’s extraordinary. I think all the players have grown and gained experience, even Dante at 42. Well done to everyone. In a few years’ time, we’ll remember that we reached the Coupe de France final and that we came very close to achieving much more against that Lens side, against whom we were evenly matched, and that we’re still in the top flight. That’s what we’ll remember. We won’t remember the difficult season we’ve had or the suffering that everyone has shared.

To finish on a slightly light-hearted note, how did you end up on the ground celebrating after Boudache’s goal?

When I find myself on the ground… Well, for a start, I struggle to get going these days, and I wasn’t wearing studs (laughs). And then Sofiane ran straight into me, there were a few things going on. I’m not used to running after a goal, it doesn’t happen to me very often. But it brings out all the emotions you can feel: frustration, the problems you have to deal with on a daily basis. All the players who train really well, who play good matches, and then suddenly the whole scenario turns on its head… they take a real knock, you have to pick them up every time and get them back on track. It’s crazy, with my staff working hard, sticking together, and the players not giving up. I think there are plenty of teams that would have fallen apart with everything they’ve been through over the past year. For me, six months was already quite a lot, but for them over the whole season… Seeing them like that, always turning up for training, working hard despite an environment that was sometimes difficult given the results, is huge. I’m very proud, very proud of them and of everyone who played a part in keeping us up and in this season.

Do you feel you made the right tactical decisions? Diop came on and made quite an impact, and Boudache scored, is that a source of satisfaction?

We had a bit of luck on our side too. They were always set to come on during the game, particularly Sofiane, because he’d played in the previous two matches, so we needed to try and spread the playing time around a bit. But once again, we found ourselves in a situation where we weren’t exactly brilliant, particularly at the start of the first half. We had to take off two players due to injury, they’d both taken knocks. Apparently it was nothing serious, but they had the marks and the stitches too. It seemed obvious to me to replace them with Kaïl and Sofiane. Tom Louchet dropped back a bit. He struggled a bit at the start, then he got going, whether at the end of the first half or throughout the second half, he was outstanding, showing great desire and determination. Really, the players were playing together. We adjusted certain aspects of our play to improve and get the better of this team. We had a brilliant second half. And for once, luck was on our side, but when I say luck was on our side, we also made it happen. We went out and made things happen, we went for it, and that was the key compared to our first game at Saint-Étienne where we’d been holding back. It’s easy to say ‘go for it’, but you have to do it, you have to take the initiative, and that’s what they did.

You’ve managed Saint-Étienne, you know the club well, does it affect you to see them remain in the second division?

That’s a good question, it gives me the chance to say a few words about Saint-Étienne, who have extraordinary supporters, and I hope they’ll quickly regain their rightful place, which is in Ligue 1. When you play in play-offs like this, of course, one team is very happy and the other is very sad. It hurts, of course I sympathise. I know some of the players I helped, like Nadé and Moueffek. I also know Philippe Montanier well. They’ve got a great team and I hope that come next year they’ll be able to give it another go and get back where they belong, and that they can go straight up.

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