This morning, Nice-Matin dedicated a double-page spread to Olivier Pantaloni’s “inner circle”, namely Erwann Le Postec, Fred Gioria, Cédric Varrault and Stéphane Cassard. Speaking to Léandra Iacono and William Humberset, the assistants discussed their role as well as the dynamic that they need to foster on a daily basis by being close both to the head coach and to the playing squad.

To accompany this double-page spread, Pantaloni gave the following thoughts on his backroom staff in return.

Erwann Le Postec

“It was important for me to have someone that I’d already worked with and that I’d already shared my ideas and my philosophy with. That helps you to make much faster progress because it isn’t easy for a new team of staff to implement everything that the new coach asks for. So, Erwann coming on board was crucial for me, and it’s a good thing that he did because he’s an absolute trouper who dedicates himself both to the club that he works for and to his fellow coaches and who is very close to the players. He puts in a huge shift, which gives me a bit more freedom in my work with the players.”

Fred Gioria

“I met him in the youth academy about forty years ago. I’m well aware of the career he’s had and his love for the club. It’s important to me to have people from the club who are committed to its values – their club – and who are determined to ensure that OGC Nice truly embraces the spirit of Nice once again. He’s the perfect example of this. He’s a true professional. I got in touch with him straight away when I found out we’d be working together. I’m absolutely delighted because I’ve always had a very good relationship with Fred and other former players from the academy. Here too, I was bringing in a trusted colleague whom I could rely on. We were able to share ideas very quickly. He appreciated what we were putting in place. He’s fully involved in the day-to-day work, just like Cédric.”

Cédric Varrault

“He retired not so long ago. He’s still fit and sharp. He started out as a coach in the academy and then moved up to the first team, which enables him to bridge the gap effectively (see below). He’s also a true club man. It’s great to have people like that, who have red and black blood running through their veins and who are highly competent. With Erwann, Fred and Cédric, we share the work and the responsibilities. They see things differently to me; they can help me see things from a different perspective. I don’t expect them to be at my beck and call or to do exactly what I ask. They need to be proactive, and they are. From the very start, it’s gone like clockwork – it’s been brilliant.”

Stéphane Cassard

“Goalkeepers have a specific role for which they receive specialised training. That’s Stéphane’s role. In terms of what I want to put in place, there’s a lot of discussion to work out what is – or isn’t – feasible with the goalkeepers. He’s working towards what we want to achieve. We have a close working relationship and a great deal of trust when it comes to his feedback. Goalkeepers can sometimes struggle during certain phases of play, so we discuss things and try to ensure we stick to our game plan, whilst making sure they feel completely at ease.”

‘IT’S A REAL TEAM EFFORT’

Does each staff member have their own specific functions?

“No, it’s very much a team effort. I don’t want to give any one assistant more importance than another. We’re in this together, come what may. Erwann outlined the project to the others as soon as he arrived. He’s also very good with computers, unlike me – I’m from a different generation (laughs). From then on, everyone got on board with the project, and everyone is on an equal footing. It’s just like in the changing room, as I told the players. No one is better than anyone else, or has a special status. Everyone is equal and everyone must work together, in the interests of the team and the club.”

Is it a ‘lively’ coaching staff?

“Of course! It’s very important, in fact. For me, it’s essential that the staff feel at ease, that there’s a sense of camaraderie amongst us. In that regard, we get the work done, but alongside that, we also need to enjoy ourselves, because it’s a high-pressure job, so we need ways to let off steam. There’s work to be done, but there are also good times and a bit of a laugh. We try to be serious, keep things natural, and enjoy the good times. The staff get on really well.”

How do you maintain the link with the youth academy?

“Right from the start, I've been in contact with Julien Sablé. We don’t see each other much because we often train at the same time – which is by design, so that he can have his players. But, we keep in touch; we message each other a lot, and Cédric acts as the direct link with the academy. It’s important to have that connection with the academy director and his assistants. We have complete confidence in their feedback regarding the players who might step up to the first team. We describe the profiles we’d like to see, and based on what they observe on a day-to-day basis, they put them forward to us. It’s not me who makes the decisions – it’s Julien – and he makes them taking everything into account. This link is vital. We must keep communicating so that the best young players can come up to play with us, because it’s important for them to develop alongside the professionals. It may only be on an occasional basis, but they need to be able to experience the highest level.”