“coaching in Ligue 1 or Ligue 2, that’s what interests me”

Foot Mercato: Friday, you took part in the France-Brazil meeting in Angers, which brought together older generations during a charity gala match. How did this happen?

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Claudio Caçapa: Listen, it went very well. I am very happy and very honored to be able to participate in this type of match. Of course we don't have the vigor, the physique of 20 years ago. But being able to meet friends with whom we played or friends who were opponents is always a pleasure. There were people in Angers. We had a great time.

FM: Ronaldinho was there. Does he still have nice leftovers and his famous kidney shot?

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C.C : the backlash, there is no more (smile). But the technical gestures, I can assure you that they are still perfect. The same goes for his vision of the game. Today, we play matches more for fun. He was already having fun when he was playing seriously. Imagine now… He no longer has his kick but I can assure you that his technique is still untouchable.

FM: it was the opportunity to see you again on the pitch, you who became a coach. You have been free since the end of your adventure in Molenbeek in Belgium. What memory do you keep of this experience?

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C.C : I have good memories of it because I met nice people. I also knew players who showed that they wanted to work with me. Unfortunately, everything wasn't perfect and so I left. But it was a great experience that I will remember a lot about. When I find a new club, I will put things in place that I put in place in Molenbeek. I'm also going to change things that didn't work there. But I have good memories of it (…) As a young coach, you can make mistakes. But I also did great things, especially during the first part of the championship. These are things I'm going to keep, especially the ones that worked. The ones that didn't work, obviously I'm going to try to make another recipe to make it work on my next project.

FM: before Molenbeek, John Textor called on you at Botafogo, as a temporary worker. What do you remember from your time there?

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C.C : It went very well in Botafogo. I played 4 matches, 4 victories. The staff that was there, the people at the club, the public… it was something that surprised me. I didn't expect that at all. When I left, I didn't want to leave at all. It went so well. People welcomed me well. The players were happy with me.

FM: John Textor trusted you on several occasions. What relationship do you have with him?

C.C : my relationship with John is good. She was good at the time. Today, it's true that since I left (from Molenbeek, editor's note), we have spoken two or three times. But I also took a step back. I had a good relationship with him.

FM: If he ever called on you again, what would you say to him?

C.C : I think I'll tell him yes. My time in Botafogo went well. In Molenbeek, especially at the beginning, things went well too. There's no reason for me to say no.

Caçapa hopes for good news for OL

FM: you said during an interview in Belgium that the Textor model cannot work. What do you mean by that? How to improve it?

C.C : I said that the model is not easy, because you cannot be at the same time in the 4 clubs that he has. To work well, you need trustworthy and, above all, competent people. He cannot be in Lyon, in England (at Crystal Palace, editor's note), in Belgium and in Brazil at the same time. He also cannot take care of his 4 clubs alone. This means that he needs competent people who he knows so that he can keep the clubs running as he wants.

FM: At one point, he tried to bring Juninho back to Lyon. Do you think it was a good idea?

C.C : of course it was a good idea. Juni loves football and he loves Lyon, it’s his club. He has spent time here and he knows the club. But I don't know why it didn't work. I think the idea of ​​bringing him back was still a good idea.

FM: I imagine that you followed what happened on Friday at OL, where the DNCG prohibited the club from recruiting and placed it in demotion as a precautionary measure. Does this worry you?

C.C : Listen, it's scary when we see and hear things like that. Lyon has always ensured at this level. When you see that and listen, it’s scary. I would like to trust John Textor because he is a very intelligent guy. OL is a big club. He's not going to leave him like that either, going down to the second division because he doesn't have the means. I hope so.

FM: If OL were to finally be demoted, we imagine that as a lover of the club, you would be there to help them.

C.C : yes, it's my club. Plus, I live in Lyon.

The Brazilian technician is ready for a new challenge

FM: I was just going to ask you what you are currently doing since the end of your adventure in Belgium.

C.C : training is over. I did everything in relation to the UEFA diplomas. At the moment I'm watching a lot of matches as I have time. I also take advantage of my free time to stay at home and spend time with family. You know, when you're a player, you're not at home a lot. But when you're a coach, it's even worse. So, I'm enjoying my family at the moment. But I can't wait to get back on the pitch, I miss it.

FM: What are you missing?

C.C: All. The relationship with the players, the pitch, the training sessions, the matches, the energy, the supporters, the competition… everything!

FM: Have you had any touches since you've been free and on the market?

C.C: keys, yes. Especially in Brazil. But today, sincerely, I want to continue in Europe. Although, I don't mind moving. My only desire is to continue coaching in Europe. In France, England, etc… it doesn't matter. Of course, if I see that the doors are closed, that it's complicated, why not return to Brazil. But I hope to have another opportunity here in Europe.

FM: in Germany, Schalke 04 and Hoffenheim looked at your profile a few weeks ago according to our information. Why did it block? Is it already a good thing that clubs at this level are ticking your name?

C.C : yes, it's already a good thing to have your name announced in these clubs. It's something important to me. Of course, there are so many coaches today who are being highlighted, who are also looking for work. They chose other coaches they had started talking to. But we don't give up and we wait. I hope to have an opportunity to continue my work as soon as possible. Today, I can tell you that I am passionate about football and above all passionate about the field.

FM: what types of projects might interest you?

C.C : when we talk about a project, it could be Ligue 1 or Ligue 2. Let's say, a Ligue 2 club that wants to play for the climb, that's a good project. There is a good compromise for a club which plays in Ligue 2 but which says that it wants to be able to taste L1 and play there within two years. It could be that too. It could also be a Ligue 1 club that wants to stay there. So, my intention is this. Coaching in Ligue 1 or Ligue 2, that’s what interests me.

FM: and it will only be as number 1. Is being a deputy no longer in your plans?

C.C : today, no. I want to continue as number 1. I loved this experience of being on the front of the stage so much that today I want to continue. In addition to being in front, being able to say that I feel capable of being coach number 1.

FM: It's not an easy exercise to talk about yourself, but according to you, what are your strengths as a coach?

C.C : It's not easy to talk about me, but I think I like the human aspect, the contact with the players. I like to talk and this philosophy of being close to the players. I also like participating in training. I'm not a coach who stays there, on the sidelines, watching, I also like to put my hand in, show the players what I want to see. I think, today, that my strengths are human qualities, that is something very important for me. I am a coach who loves the field, I am passionate. I'm really looking forward to getting back on the pitch.

A model named Ancelotti

FM: how would you define your style? Which game system do you prefer?

C.C : It depends because when you take a team at the start of the season and you choose your players, it's easier. This is not my case. Normally, I will arrive with a squad already assembled and ready. Regarding my style of play, I like possession, keeping the ball and playing from the back. Afterwards, it all depends on the players you have. If I have players capable of keeping the ball, of course I will keep the ball. But if we don't have one, there will be no point in trying to keep the ball. If we have players who go fast and play against, unfortunately or fortunately, we will have to play against. The game system depends on all that. Now the system that I love is the 4-3-3. But I am open to other systems. I can play with 5 players at the back, 3 in the middle and 2 attackers, that could be it too.

FM: as a player, assistant and even coach, you have come across a lot of technicians. Who are your role models?

C.C : my role model is Carlo Ancelotti. Besides, I'm reading one of his books. He’s someone whose team I enjoy watching play. I also like the way he is with his players. I had the opportunity to work as an OL assistant with five different coaches. I took positive things from them and I also perceived things that I would not do with my team. There are two coaches I want to mention. The first is Bruno Genesio, who is today in Lille. He’s someone I’ve learned a lot from. It’s also the one I’ve worked with the most. We stayed together for three or four seasons at OL. He is someone who masters all areas. He masters the offensive side and the defensive side. He is someone who quickly sees the problem in his team. He also quickly sees the solution. I learned from him this consistency, and his eye to be able to see the problem and find the solution. The second one I want to talk about is Peter Bosz. I love his way of doing things. He is someone who takes risks. He likes to play from behind. Its method is totally different from the French method, it's something that I learned, that I used and that I hope to be able to use soon.

FM: Pierre Sage has now been on the OL bench for almost a year. What do you think of this coach and more generally of the Gones season?

C.C: I think it’s going pretty well. They are fifth (in L1, editor’s note). They have a big squad, big players. They have everything it takes to play for the highest places. I think Pierre Sage is a good coach. He shows that he is capable of managing the egos of all his players. It's not easy when you have a good group like they have. Managing all these players is not easy, but he manages it.