Present at the 12th man evening organized by the club, ASSE president Ivan Gazidis gave a speech to the supporters present on site. Here are his words.
What are the first words you would like to address to the supporters and partners gathered this evening?
First of all, I want to thank you. We were welcomed into a very special place, full of strong values. For us, it is an honor to be part of this big family and to share this adventure with you. We have a deep respect for what this club represents, and it is very moving to see you all gathered here this evening alongside us. The goal of this club is to make us proud of the community we form together. And even if AS Saint-Étienne is a big club, the emotions it arouses remain extremely personal. I understand this perfectly. We will work every day so that you are proud of the work we will accomplish together.
You are the new president of ASSE. The owner, Larry Tanenbaum, was with us here, and he greeted the audience Saturday evening. Why did you choose Saint-Étienne to develop your project?
This weekend we discovered what makes this club our home. Larry Tanenbaum, who has been involved in sports at the highest levels for decades, turned to me at the start of the match and said, “I’ve never seen anything like this!” I have a long experience in football myself, but I have never felt this special and unique feeling of community. With such unity, this club is capable of achieving great things, believe me! I have always followed ASSE as a football fan, and as soon as the opportunity to join this adventure presented itself, I did not hesitate for a moment. Larry and I are extremely proud to be welcomed into this family. Thank you all.
What motivates you on a daily basis here in Saint-Étienne?
We have a great team, made up of people who are passionate about football. It’s more than a job, it’s a real mission for all of us, and we’re only just beginning this adventure. We spend a lot of time together getting to know the club and the community around it. Of course, we had to face the emergency from the moment we purchased the club, with the immediate objective of moving up to Ligue 1. It’s absolutely fantastic, but it’s also an immense challenge. We must move forward step by step, laying solid foundations for this club to evolve sustainably at the highest level.
Pressure is part of high-level sport. It comes from the objectives that we all share within the club. We must move forward together, in the same direction, to achieve our ambitions. All united.
