After a first season as head coach in Major League SoccerLaurent Courtois indicated that his expectations will be higher this year at the helm of CF Montreal. And the 46-year-old Frenchman believes that the numerous changes at the personnel level, both among the coaches and within the sports workforce, will give him free rein to succeed.
Courtois spoke Tuesday after the first training session of the Montreal eleven in Tampa, Florida. In total, 36 players are scheduled to participate in the CF Montreal camp – although several of them are currently conspicuous by their absence due to their selection by their national team, or even due to “small details”, as is the case. case for striker Giacomo Vrioni.
Many changes have also been made in recent weeks to Courtois’ coaching staff.
CF Montreal recently indicated that Eduardo Sebrango, who served as assistant coach of the first team, will return as coach with the Club’s Academy. This is without counting the departure of Laurent Ciman.
Additionally, Courtois indicated that the team is “in no rush” to hire a new strength and conditioning coach, since several people within the organization can handle this task temporarily.
Regardless, Courtois seemed very happy to be able to set the table for the next season of the Montreal eleven. Among the new faces who will be part of the team in 2025 are German striker Prince Owusu, as well as his compatriot, midfielder Fabian Herbers. Players who will help Courtois further assert the club’s identity in 2025.
“This year, we are going to talk a lot about building trust between us, and that will involve our ability to find common ground in order to identify the values that will lead us this year,” Courtois explained by videoconference. We will have to create an environment that will be competitive, while being benevolent. I found, in difficult times (last year), that we were missing a little bit of both. We therefore want to bring everyone together and work forward. »
After having chosen his staff and having participated in the hiring process of the new players who joined the Bleu-blanc-noir squad this winter, Courtois is aware that there may be a little more pressure this season. However, it doesn’t seem to bother him too much.
“I don’t really like the word ‘pressure,’ but it’s true that expectations are normal — even for me. I have expectations and ambitions. This year, I have the staff that I wanted, and player profiles that closely resemble what I wanted. With a good base of guys who know me, who know what I want to do, and I have the support of a lot of people. So, yes there are expectations, and I will try to meet them. »
Courtois stressed that he appreciated the size and speed of Owusu and Herbers, in particular, players who will test opposing defenses.
“Elements that we missed at times last season,” he said.
Acclimatization to be expected
For now, however, CF Montreal must return to the pitch and gradually find its bearings.
This is particularly the case of defenseman Joel Waterman, who accepted a contract extension of several years earlier this winter and who will have to learn to deal with a new defensive coach, following the departure of Ciman.
“We don’t yet know who will replace him. I spoke with Marco (Donadel) today about positioning, but we won’t start working on that until next week. The important thing this week is to lay the foundations of our game concepts and integrate newcomers into our group. We’re going to take hits, improve our physical conditioning and prepare for next week,” Waterman said.
For his part, Herbers said he was happy to be able to find a fellow German on the team in Owusu. He spoke with him following the announcement of his hiring on Monday, and indicated that he intended to improve his command of French over the coming months in order to facilitate his communication with his new teammates.
The Bleu-blanc-noir will continue its training camp in the United States until January 25, before starting the second portion of it at the Marie-Victorin Sports Complex in Montreal.
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