It was the only touch of humor from a coach who was unable to mask his concern, and that of an entire group, a few hours after receiving a communication from Fergal Harkin, the sporting director, confirming the financial concerns and, above all, the vagueness in which the club is moving forward.
What did management tell you?
”This morning we had a meeting to discuss the situation of the club. The message is that there was no clarity, it's vague. There is a lot of uncertainty and that necessarily affects the morale of the players and the staff. There are 50-60 people for the athlete and there is concern. We would like to be happy, and only think about football, but it’s very complicated.”
Has management told you that you won't be paid by the end of the season?
”We were told we didn’t know when we would be paid (Editor's note: April salaries must be paid this weekend, Friday at the latest, while May salaries will be paid at the beginning of June, the club assures us).”
What is the atmosphere like?
“We try to concentrate on football, we would like to talk about tactics, technique, but it’s complicated. But I told the players again that they had to give everything, at least for themselves, to make people lie who say they are bad, for the club. After practice, I told them to enjoy it with their family.”
Have any players expressed their intention not to play or no longer play?
”I asked the question: if one of you doesn't want to play anymore, due to circumstances, you can say so. But no one told me anything.”
So you can count on everyone this Friday, except the usual injured?
”We still have training (this Thursday)we will take stock then.”
I'm worried. I came for the Champions playoffs, not for maintenance. If I had known I wouldn't have come.
Personally, are you worried about next season?
”Yes I am worried. I had come to play in the Champions playoffs, not to play in the playoffs or in playoffs 2. If I had known how it was going to turn out, I would not have come.”
You talked about making political choices after the match in Louvain. Were you pressured to field certain players?
“I have no obligation to put this or that player in, but I know the situation of the club and the objectives for next season, which we must “prepare”. We discuss and we understand that we have to make certain choices for the club.”
You will need five or six reinforcements for next season. But is this really possible?
“We need ten reinforcements with all the departures that are planned. I don’t know the figures, so I don’t know what will be possible to do…”
If you could send a message to 777 Partners, what would you say?
”It’s not up to me to give a message. I can only say that we know nothing, that we learn that small things become big things.”
