It is with a mixture of regret and hope that the president of CF Montreal, Gabriel Gervais, confirmed Tuesday the departure of head coach Wilfried Nancy. The 45-year-old will now lead the Columbus Crew.
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Although he would have liked to continue the adventure with the Frenchman, the CEO approached the subject with a touch of relief. After all, Nancy had made it clear he wanted to leave the club he had led since March 8, 2021, and Gervais said he wanted to continue with people who really wanted to be part of the organization.
Besides, he won’t be the only one to lift the sails for Ohio, as assistant coach Kwame Ampadu, physical trainer Jules Gueguen and video analyst Maxime Chalier will follow him.
“My wish was to continue with Wilfried, said Gervais at a press conference. I really appreciate him as a “coach” – he’s a very good “coach” – and as a person. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get along and we lose three deputies who grew up in the Academy family. We cannot say that it is an ideal outcome, but under the circumstances, it is a good outcome for us.
It’s a beautiful chapter that ends, as Nancy led CF to second place in the Eastern Association of Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2022. However, his men gave up the flag in front of New York City FC in the Eastern semi-finals.
Problems with Saputo
As the saying goes: better to be alone than in bad company. A conflict between Nancy and the team would have led to her departure and we retain a particular date in this file. On July 9, after a setback against Kansas City Sporting, the driver reportedly had an argument with owner Joey Saputo. He would have immediately wanted to leave, but changed his mind to end the season, according to Gervais.
CF Montreal tried to rebuild the bridges with Nancy in the months that followed, but we have to believe that its decision was made a long time ago. Even Saputo would have tried his luck at the end of the campaign, given the organization’s incomparable success in 2022.
“After the game against New York, following the elimination [le 23 octobre], Joey went down to the locker room to talk to the players. He had asked Wil’s permission to do so. He spoke very honestly to say that the team had exceeded his expectations. He took turns thanking different members of the organization, he thanked the players and he thanked Wil specifically for his work. Previously, he had even extended his hand to her, but it was not reciprocated. When you hit a wall like that, you have to move forward,” said Gervais.
It wasn’t about the money either. CF Montreal would have opened its wallet if Nancy had wished to stay.
“It was not financial, confirmed the president. I told him personally that if he had an offer, we were ready to match him. He refused. We didn’t even have the chance to get there.”
In research
Consequently, the Montreal organization will have to find a ninth head coach since its debut in MLS in 2012.
Gervais said the hiring process for the next coach is already underway, while stressing that speaking French will be an important criterion.
“It’s absolutely our wish to have stability here,” he said.
“We want a coach a bit like Wil, who is good at developing players, a good teacher. We want a “coach” who believes in our project and our philosophy. We are not like other big organizations that will bring in big names,” said Gervais, saying in passing that deputy Laurent Ciman would remain in office.
The organization will certainly wish to find someone for several years. Indeed, Mauro Biello has been the longest-serving head coach since joining MLS. He was in charge for two years and two months.
Wilfried Nancy wants to pass on his passion to the Crew
The Columbus Crew introduced their new head coach Wilfried Nancy at a press conference on Tuesday, and he expressed his joy at joining an organization in which he feels wanted.
Nancy left CF Montreal after leading it for two seasons and her departure from the Quebec metropolis, which came at the end of a successful campaign, left many speechless. Also, the subject of CF was completely evacuated during the press briefing, the sporting director of the Crew, Tim Bezbatchenko, sometimes pronouncing the words “old team”.
However, regardless of the mood of the supporters of the Montreal club, Nancy is ready for a new start with a team that missed the last Major League Soccer playoffs.
“I’m really happy to be here. I love my job and I am passionate about my sport. I love people and I care about them. Yes, I am a coach, but it is essential for me to understand others and by doing this, we will achieve a great result,” he said.
“It’s an honor for me to be the next Crew driver. My family and I are excited to be part of the Columbus community,” he said in a statement.
For his part, Bezbachenko highlighted the qualities of his new acquisition.
“During the hiring process, it was clear to us that he is an innovative instructor with the appropriate knowledge and vision to work in the world of North American soccer at various levels. We know he’s the right person to bring this team back to the playoffs and fight for a championship.”