With the support of Monaco, Philippe Clément looks ahead
Q: Are you an attacking coach?
Philippe Clement:I own nothing. La structure of my team must make it possible to create chances and to remain hermetic. I have a lot of respect for (José) Mourinho’s philosophy. But I prefer that of (Pep) Guardiola. Create the surplus while remaining balanced, all done with intensity. That’s what I like.”
Q: How do you implement this philosophy?
Philippe Clément: “Football evolves. Without adaptation, or open-mindedness, you stay in your tunnel. You are pushed out. Guardiola is the best example. His style has evolved, as has his working relationship with the players. The coach is the catalyst of the different sectors. So that everyone, internally, speaks a common language, I need time, exchanges. Everyone must be convinced of the interest of the proposed work. We have increased the training load, set up daily muscle and joint prevention sessions, imposed heavy compensation work for those who do not play. Dynamics and cohesion have been created. I try to lead by example. A story begins. We create a real family. You also need results.“
Q: The recent paintball & barbecue day had that interest?
Philippe Clement:I do sometimes. 30 years ago, we were going to drink beers. The next day you had no legs in training, but (was) created a collective unity. It’s necessary force the new generation to create this essential spirit in football. Reacting quickly to catch a partner’s mistake, rather than the pointer, is a collective strength. We must grow in this area, as in our ability to keep the structure, without nervousness, without overplaying.”
Q: Is your management individualized?
Philippe Clément: “We integrate the specificities of each one. But you have to adapt to the philosophy or leave. We must also help our young people to better understand the dangers of high level: media coverage, social networks, changes of agent, debut in selection. Their first bad times can “kill” them. Next year, one or two veterans should therefore balance the workforce.“
Q: Have you shown yourself in danger since the poor winter results?
Philippe Clément: “We are come get me to improve the gamethe level of the players with my method. Nantes and Braga (elimination in the Coupe de France and the Europa League, editor’s note) were hard blows. But I look ahead. The players reacted against Paris (3-0).”
Q: “L’Equipe” had reported before the victory against PSG that you could be sacked by the president Dmitri Rybolovlev. Would you feel betrayed if necessary?
Philippe Clement:You never know the future when you are a coach. That’s life. I was surprised at the timing, before a big game. I then thought only of its preparation. In order not to destabilize the players, I said to my assistants: ‘We don’t talk about that to the players, we stay focused to win’.“
Q: Did you get any explanations?
Philippe Clement:The sporting director, the vice-president and myself spoke with the president Rybolovlev. I spoke more than four hours with him. He said that we have his full support in the current project. New, he was less present. He wants to be more involved again. We talked about the current players, the profiles we need for next season.”
Q: Did this discussion reassure you?
Philippe Clément: “No. For me, the most important thing is to work daily in the best possible way, be satisfied with what I have done, in the evening in front of my mirror. But he is certain that having direct contact with the President has been a good thing. For everyone.”
Q: You are not guaranteed to post next season?
Philippe Clement:There is never any insurance. And I didn’t ask him. If we lose all the matches now? That’s how it is… But it was good that he saw the work behind the results.”
Q: Do you thrive in Monaco?
Philippe Clement:I like this professional and personal challenge. I am no longer in my cocoon. This work fascinates me. I want to go as high as possible! For this, my ambition is effective on the search for daily progress. I live in the moment!“