La Poursuite du Bonheur - A Frenchman's Dream

[Joss]

I think it depends on if you want a change, your first story was all articles, from arsenal.com or something, then your latest one was perspective, which did you prefer? Or do you want to try something else? And what djh1878 said

 

[Ross-Galloway]

Great story with a difference, typical Ed by the way, following

 

[Eds]

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Club Sportif Sedan Ardennes - July 2009​

Welcomed back into the club with a hearty smile from the attractive blond secretary at the front desk, I trawled back into the Stade Louis Dugaguez Training Facility for the first time in around a month. The players weren't due back until the fourth, but I had work to do.​

After a disappointing season last year, changes were there to be made and both on and off the pitch, I was expected to bring people in. I already had a few ideas of some people I wanted to bring into the club, and who I wanted to leave the club.​

My £575k budget wasn't going to bring me brilliance, and therefore I'd need to be very cunning on the Transfer Market to get a desirable team together for the start of the season. There were certainly a few problematic areas of the team, and once they were sorted out, I could really push on and look to improve the squad.​

Chairman Pascal Urano had told me that I was expected to bring the team at least four places up the table and make a mid-table spot. Of course, that was certainly possible and with a few tweaks, the team could be in the top 7, letalone the top half.​

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The only two major changes to the backroom staff would be the inductions of two former players in Antoine Sibierski and Alain Caveglia. Both of these two have signed contracts as Scouts of the club, and I expect them to be around for the long-term.​

The board had recently appointed a new Director of Football in Nicolas Sachy, and I'd heard a number of good things about this guy. At former club, Stade Lavallois, he had given the manager an amount of freedom that you don't seem to get at many clubs. I was actually looking forward to working with him.​

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I knew loan signings would be crucial if we were to have a successful season in Ligue 2, this year. Therefore, Manchester United's new £7.4m striker Bebe has made the season-long-loan move to us and will certainly be an asset at the top of the pitch. Another loan signing is centre-back Håvard Nordveit from Arsenal, who will furthur our defensive depth.​

But it wasn't all going to be loans, as I spend all of our season's transfer budget and more on a young Italian defender named Luca Rossettini. I'd seen him play on various occasions and we'd been keeping tabs on him for months. It was only now that we could successfully offer for both Roma and Siena's 50% stakes in the player that we could bring him here.​

No-one had actually officially left the club as of yet, but there'd been some very promising signs of some deals coming through. David Suarez was an excess striker who I've deemed surplus to requirements and therefore he is likely to head off for a fee of just over £200k.​

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The pre-season had been kind to the lads, and everyone was back, fit, ready and raring to go. There were some very promising performances and I saw snippets of brilliance; something that was no-where near our play last season.​

The 4-4-2 formation was virtually set in stone and in a league like this one, a simple formation can sometimes work wonders. The tactic is built towards keeping possession and with the likes of Mokake and Lemoigne in the centre of midfield, that seems not too difficult at all.​

Overall, a very good month. Two fantastic loan signings, along with a classy defender, and to add to that, two developing Scouts, meant that the club is certainly in a better position than it was at the start of the month. But there was one more backroom staff acquisition to make...​

 

[Joss]

(Y) nice update man, good detailed layout, glad yo've decided to stick with the perspective tbh, i think it works well.

 

[JamieReed24]

Excellent update that last one, thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The rest of the story is really good too but to be honest didn't expect anything less from you. Top notch stuff there mate. Good luck with it.

 

[miskell99]

Good luck Ed. Its good to see a story from outside england,. English based stories aren't as good as international or foreign now. Any way good luck again

 

[Clark_Messi]

Good luck for the season,
Good loan in Nordveit.

 

[Alcaraz]

Good Luck mate,I will be following ofcourse

 

[Eds]

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Club Sportif Sedan Ardennes - August 2009​

July had been a busy month, but August was going to be a step above. A League Cup fixture on the first day against Le Mans UC 72 was certainly going to be tricky, and with an unfortunate slipped disk injury to Håvard Nordveit tells me that lady luck isn't on our side.​

I'd been told by scout Michel Roquette that Le Mans played a narrow, direct game, and that they struggled against teams that played a 4-5-1. But I wasn't worried about any of that. Our 4-4-2 had come on leaps and bounds over the month, and the possesion we were getting each match was phenomenal.​

There was an aura around the club, which there hadn't been since the Ligue 1 days, and I sensed good times ahead. A good group of talented young lads, and in a three-year plan, I'm sure we can push for promotion.​

The only other change at the club was to bring in my former FC Istres OP team-mate and ex-Bulgarian international striker Igor Matiak. I was delighed to be able to bring Igor to the club, and I was especially looking forward to hearing his take on what he thinks of the club. He's due a Press Conference later in the month.​

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There'd been rumours flying around of transfers, Mokake to Malaga, Traore to Tenerife, Costil to CSKA, and these were starting to unsettle the team, but they remained focus, for now anyway. We'd also had our fair share of rumours, Marek Cech being the most exotic of them, but I dismissed them straight away.​

I'm pretty much happy with the depth the squad has, and we've got capable guys who can fill in, in every single position. The tactic is to park the bus and our 4-4-2 allows us to do that with one of the central midfielders holding back and the wingers bombing forwards.​

We'd even featured on Sky Sports News, all be it for a brief four seconds as our name ran across the bottom of the screen, but it was a step forwards. People were beginning to recognise the club, again, and media attention was gradually growing and growing. My task is to explode the club's stature. And I feel I can certainly do that.​

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In the end, it was a very good looking month. Our park the bus tactic had worked a treat, and we weren't conceding goals, only two in seven games is certainly a magnificent acheivement. And this was without one of our first choice central defenders in Nordveit.​

An unfortunate loss at the end of the month to Angers SCO was the only damp stain, and that was through lack of concentration, more than anything. That could easily be fixed and the players know that they are going to need to put the hard work on the training pitch to just step up that extra level.​

Fifth in Ligue 2 is certainly a good point for the club to be, at this stage. Of course, Ligue 1 is where every real Les Sangliers fan wants us, but we need to be realistic and take one step at a time. The club as a whole is improving, and I hope the fans do not get too carried away.​

 

[Joss]

Nice update again Ed, been waiting for this for ages!
I like the style, it looks very neat, and it's easy to read, the screenshots, and pictures help that, and it all works very well. Great result against a presumably strong Le Mans side used to challenging for the Ligue 2 title.

 

[Clark_Messi]

Your team obviuosly has enough talent to gain promotion,
I'm sure you'll lead them to Ligue 1.
Great result in the League Cup as well

 

[Alcaraz]

Keep going Eds,realy quality so far

 

[Joss]

Matiak gives first Press Conference for Les sangliers​

Igor Matiak, ex-Bulgarian international and new assistant manager in Sedan, North East France earlier gave his first press conference in his new role at 'Les Sangliers'. The Bulgarian developed a good relationship both on and off the field with new boss of 3 months when they played together for French Ligue 2 side FC Istres, before 22 year old Trajont was sold for a then record € 670,000 to Montpellier in Ligue 1. Matiak has very little experience in football management, having only managed a brief coaching stint at FC Istres, before moving back to his hometown in Bulgaria, to take charge of Levski (Sofia) Reserves, where he won the Reserve league comfortably, and is recognised as having helped a lot of players break into the first team of the Bulgarian club. After retiring from professional football in 2004 at the age of 33, Matiak has been looking for a way back into football, and saw this as the ideal opportunity, welcoming a move back to his 'second nation' France, where French wife, and ex-model Amélie will be able to see her family for the first time since their move back to Bulgaria in 2007. In his press conference, Matiak said he was 'delighted' to be able to work again with his 'good friend' Monsieur Trajont...


PRESS CONFERENCE
Thomas Mercier, Le Monde: Msr. Matiak.. leaving your home nation to join a club which many people see as going nowhere any fast must have been a difficult decision, do you feel you've made the right one so far?

Igor Matiak: No, not at all... It was ideal for me to come back to France, and i am delighted to be able to join up with Leroy, we were good friends when we played together [At FC Istres] and he was a superb player, so i am very happy. I wanted a challenge, and a step up, Bulgarian football is not very high profile, and whilst i had fun, it was not very tough in Sofia, i am looking forward to this challenge, i have definitely made the right move!

David Dumont, L'Equipe:That's a very bold statement Msr., do you not think that this move will represent a case of misjudgement on your behalf? There is a strong possibility that this so called 'challenge' will be a disaster with two inexperienced men in charge, do you not agree?

IM: No..... because Leroy was a very good footballer, he has a footballing brain, and so i am confident in his, and my ability to bring this club success, we are already doing well, and we beat Le Mans [In the first round of the French Cup], people need to gives us a chance to prove our worth.

Gerard Dupois, CS Sedan Ardennes: Well, welcome to the club Igor, we hope that this will be a more than pleasant time for you at the club, and that we will experience some success soon, how are you finding the club so far? And where do you see us going in the near future?

IM: Thankyou Gerard, i am sure it will be. The club is very nice, it has a good setup, and long history, it is nice and small, so there is less pressure i feel, the blonde at the front desk is pretty nice too huh? (Reporter says something..) Your wife? Well, she is very pretty, maybe not your wife for long!
As for my ambitions, i believe Msr. Trajont has been given a target to finish in the top half, but with the players we have i am sure we can push for a playoff place, Leroy and I are confident, and i think the players are too.

Igor Matiak talks to Leroy Trajont after his press conference. He is expected to take charge of a training session tomorrow to be properly introduced to everyone.​

 

[Eds]

Brilliant update Joss, perfect.

 

[Clark_Messi]

Nice to see the Ed-Joss partnership reunited
And good update mate,
stories looking great.

 

[Chris]

Yes, the Ed-Joss team are back!

Only adding to the brilliance of this story.

 

[djh1878]

Just echoing the above, delighted to see Joss return alongside you Eds. Going well so far!

 

[Eds]

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Club Sportif Sedan Ardennes - September 2009​

I've been at this club around eight months now, and everybody involved wants to get back into the top flight. There are no snakey owners, no corruption, nothing. Everyone is working together, and wants to regain out rightful place in the highest league in French football.​

It wasn't going to be a particularly tough month ahead, but it was a chance to lay the foundation for a great season. I'd been at a lot of teams where the first half of the season just wasn't good enough and therefore the goals couldn't be reached later on. It is vital we compete all season.​

The League Cup match against SC Bastia was certainly going to be key. The board only expected us to get the the Second Round, and if we won, we'd be in the Fourth. It was certainly a real chance to get back into the media, and get some attention on the club.​

Rossettini, Bebe, Nordveit and even my late signing Valery Sorokin were beginning to settle in, and their football was really coming on leaps and bounds. Under a strick training program, all the lads were happy with the progress of both themselves as players and where the club is headed.​

Rossettini and Nordveit in Sedan colours​

I'd told everyone to keep their feet on the floor after a good little run in the cup and a solid start to the league, but I couldn't help feeling how sweet promotion to Ligue 1 would be. I was starting to build a solid squad and on our day, our 4-4-2 could beat anyone.​

But what we really lack is a central midfielder who can spray the ball everywhere. Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, the Spanish team is perhaps the best in the world and they have plenty of them, and the closest we've got is Mokake.​

That's the transfer budget for next season, definately. Although, we're going to be a completely different side next year. Bebe, Nordveit, Fauvergne and Lasimant will all return to their clubs, and we could struggle with a low budget. But that's a while away yet; we'll see.​

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Not only where there victories in the league, but we journeyed on in the cup as well, brilliant. The Fourth Round of the French League Cup beckoned. Being the only Ligue 2 team left meant the pressure was on, and we were expected to lose whoever we played.​

Promising performances from Nicolas Fauvergne had lit up Ligue 2 that month, and he really has been playing phenomenaly. Goals, assists, and generally brilliant play from him have all helped contibute to our success in September.​

And above all, an unbeaten month. Long may it continue.​

 

[Joss]

Nice update Ed, great start to the league, still pretty much unbeaten (bar one game), and 2nd in the league when you're predicted 10th or so is brilliant. Can already tell this is going to be very successful! I'll do my update in wee bit.

---------- Post added at 06:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:03 PM ----------

Entretien avec Igor Matiak
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Igor Matiak gave just his second interview since taking over as Assistant manager at Les Sangliers, exclusive to "France football". The ex-Bulgarian international scored 90 goals in 156 appearences for the national side, but struggled to find the right job since retiring from the professional game. Matiak sees the opportunity to work with the man who created many of his goals during his playing career in France as 'the ideal opportunity'. Matiak gave us the pleasure of his company in a Q&A session last week:

Q: Igor, good to see you, i'll get stuck in straight away, where do you see Sedan Ardennes finishing this season, surely promotion is a step too far, even considering the superb start the club has made to the season?

A: Well, i think that our priority has to be the league first of all, and that the key to doing well, is consistency, which hopefully we will be able to achieve, as we have a good mix of players here, from experience to youth players in peak condition, able to play several games in a row easily. Perhaps automatic promotion is too much to aim for this season, but certainly we can reach the playoffs. I would like, however, not to talk about targets, i prefer to take each game as it comes.

Q:Nicolas Fauvergue has been in superb form recently, contributing both goals and assists, at this stage in his career, he should be playing his best football of his life, and people are already touting him as the next Igor Matiak.. he certainly plays a lot like you did, with Mokaké apparently taking up the role that Trajont used to occupy at FC Istres, is this something you've been working on in training?

A: Well, yes.. and no. We were very lucky coming to the club, in that there are a few very talented players here already, Mokaké being one of them, and Nicolas Fauvergue being another, in particular Mokaké already plays in the playmaker role so we did not have to do much work with him, but certainly we have tried to help them in these positions, yes.

Q:Finally M. Matiak, how are you and your wife settling down in France?

A: Well, this is her home country, so she is settling in very easily, it is a little more difficult for me, because i have never been to Ardennes, however i had a long career in France, and so i can speak plenty of French, and the food is very good, which is obviously the most important thing, besides the football!

Thankyou Igor

You can see Igor's next press conference live on les Sangliers website, the Press Conference is likely to come at the end of the next month, and he will be hoping to have some positive things to talk about...

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Diary Entry, Sun 27th September 2009

I switched on Sky Sports News earlier, partly bored, partly *****, and hoping for a hot English woman to be reading the news in some language i couldn't understand, Bulgaria had three English channels, Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 2, and Sky Sports News, but apparently they couldn't afford a translator, so it was all in English, what i heard instead was half of what i'd hoped.. A man i'd never seen before reading, and being translated into French:

"Club Sportif Ardennes ont remonté à la deuxième place en Ligue deux après un solde nul une victoire sur Tours FC. Nouveau gestionnaire de Leroy Trajont et assistant Igor Matiak ont tourné autour de la fortune du club, et les partisans de sanglier sera l'espoir d'une première promotion en Ligue un."

"Club Sportif Ardennes have moved up to second place in Ligue 2 after a one nil win over Tours FC. New manager Leroy Trajont and assistant Igor Matiak have turned around the club's fortunes, and les sangliers supporters will be hoping for a first promotion to Ligue 1."

I was probably way too excited over a 1 and a half minute mention on SSN, but was glad of the attention, and sure enough, my mother called from Bularia a couple of hours later, asking why my ugly face was on TV, she always was a charmer... I called Leroy too, though he wasn't half as excited as i was, and dismissed it nonchalantly.

So, Back to the football, and on the field, the players were training well, and were surprisingly accepting of two inexperienced men with no obvious passion for the club, or any reasons to be here, they were already gelling well, and the loan signing of Bebé from Manchester Utd in England is widely regarded as the best signing in Ligue 2, "A coup pour Trajont" read L'Equipe the day his transfer was announced, no pressure then!

*​

 

[Eds]

I think you've summed Trajont's personality up perfectly in your second last paragraph.

Very, very good update there. Brilliant.