how demotion as a precautionary measure can impact the Lyon locker room

Historical agent of major players in Lyon (Govou, Gonalons, Balmont, Diarra and today Omari), Frédéric Guerra questions, with his experience in terms of human management, the consequences of the DNCG's decision to place OL under the sword of Damocles of a demotion at the end of the season.

If John Textor, the owner of OL, wanted to be reassuring in his press conference last Saturday the day after the DNCG announcements and then through a meeting, held by Laurent Prud'homme with the players on Monday, the reality of a locker room does not necessarily embrace this optimism. Decryption with Fred Guerra of this expected downsizing, which will concern at least six players in a plethoric group of 28 elements with the fear of losing its spearheads of the fall, Cherki and Fofana.

Fred Guerra, after the heavy sanctions from the DNCG, what is the strongest consequence, even if it may seem invisible from the outside, in the privacy of the locker room?

There are several aspects to the file. For each player, the situation is that once he finds himself on the field, he will want to show the maximum, because even if it means being sold, he seeks to be transferred to the best sporting project there is. . This risks bringing selfishness to the detriment of the collective and the general state of mind.

What should an agent, a loved one, do in this context?

It is important to get closer to them, to know what the leaders want to do in order to see what needs to be worked on, right now: because as of this winter, there may be opportunities or if it is necessary postpone them until summer. But in any case, as soon as each player is for sale, there is real work to be done. Because obviously, that means that they are going to ask questions. For the players, a period like no other begins. So, they are not all in the same boat: Alexandre Lacazette, Corentin Tolisso, Nemanja Matic, these are people who are capable of managing with their experience and because their career has already sheltered them. But this can weaken some of them, who are just starting out or who have a “comfort” contract over several years. They have value, and the club may take the opportunity to sell them, even though they may want to stay. They thus find themselves on the transfer list without particularly wanting to, having invested themselves differently in their personal life, in their family, in the region. This can be very complicated for some.

Even for a Rayan Cherki?

Yes, because he is starting to flourish in his club, he feels good now. He has finally made his place, he has found his bearings, but perhaps his departure to Liverpool will be accelerated. It's obvious. And at a lower cost, moreover. How can his game be impacted, then?

And from a sporting point of view, can that have an impact?

Obviously, when you are mentally weakened, the reaction is individual. The perfect example could be Maxence Caqueret: a very good player last year, essential to the group, today he finds himself completely weakened because he is not a starter. So, when he finds himself either a starter or a starter, he will perhaps want to execute gestures much more quickly, to show off. And we all know that when we do things faster, we are more likely to do them poorly than to do them well. All the players, unconsciously, will react like this: they are no longer in the same working comfort, in time, in ease. They are under the “watch” and/or weight of a fire that is above their heads. Can this strengthen ties? I'm not sure, because everyone will want to shine, individually: rather than making a back pass, he will shoot; rather than passing, he will dribble with the possibility of losing the ball. Because they are all in the mindset of showing things, individually. In principle, in a well-functioning team, it is individuals who put themselves at the service of the collective. And there, it will be individuals who will put themselves at the service of themselves and no longer at the service of the collective. We will have to be attentive to this feeling during the matches. I really don't want my prophecy to come true, but it's a probability.

As an agent and close friend, what should we emphasize to the players?

The first question I ask the person concerned: what do you want to do? First, above all, there is an important information gathering from the principal concerned. You also have to reassure him by saying: “don't worry, in any case, the quality you have, don't let all this overwhelm you”. This possible transfer is my job. You, focus on being athletic and above all, be careful not to fall into individualism, which can ultimately harm you. And then, I would tell him: when the club is in this situation, the big winner is likely to be you. For what ? Because the club will be forced to sell “for scrap” since it is not in a position of strength. OL will not be able to say no to a transfer that would be favorable to you. So believe in yourself, continue to be the same, and know that the boat stands because a guy like you will stand. And we're going to make everyone else stand up. That's how I see things. And you will be the beneficiary of the transfer because the club will have no choice.

Why can the player be the “winner” when a vicious circle can lead to him being sold off?

If the club was in a position of strength, it would say about my player: “it's 30 million or nothing”. But at this price, there is only one club that can line up. However, by dropping to 20, or even 15 million euros, there are more clubs willing to welcome you. And somewhere, the player has “more” choice in the destination and potentially, he can be in a preferential position to negotiate his salary. Instead of having a club in front of you at 30 million which offers you a salary spoiled for choice, provided that he does not change his approach and his performance in training and/or matches.

What about the coach's job in this situation?

The coach cannot ignore the club's situation. So, he has to talk about it. And the coach's speech will be this: “guys, we're not splitting up. We're fifth. We have things to achieve sportingly. And then, at the end of the year, we'll take stock of everything However, I care about all of you, and when I'm asked for my opinion, I hope it will be heard, because I don't want to separate from any of you.” It's the only speech he can have, to keep these guys' heads above water. And besides, it is, in principle, the speech of a coach, since the players who arrived, he wanted them. So, he is obliged to be consistent with himself, and with what he told them and to hold this speech of cohesion. There can be no other way out for him.