Nice Premium: What proposal did Mr. Villeneuve make regarding the acquisition of OGCN?
Gilbert Stellardo: Charles Villeneuve offered me five million euros for the purchase of the shares plus another five million payable by December 31, 2013. However, he didn’t offer anything for the club’s operations. The important thing is not the acquisition of the shares, but the future of the club. We are keen to find a partner who will be able to develop the club, with or without us. We are not a closed house. But Mr. Villeneuve should not have communicated with the press. As Bernard Tapie said, if you want to make deals, you do them privately and then announce them to the press.
NP: The Nice grand stadium should be built by 2013, how will its management be organized?
GS: The stadium will be managed by a private company. We will be the resident club, but Nice will be able to use it for other events. We will pay rent to the city, which will be higher than that of the Ray, but the prospects will be more interesting. We currently have an attendance of between 10,000 and 11,000 spectators; the target will be to double this figure in the new stadium.
NP: What is your assessment of the 2009-2010 season?
GS: The last eleven matches are positive since, during this period, we ranked fourth. It both makes us dream and creates regrets. We think we had the players to do better. Ollé-Nicolle perhaps did not manage to bring out the best in his players. Additionally, our group is large, which makes its management more difficult. The African Cup lasted a month and handicapped us, along with severe expulsions and referee errors. Subsequently, a negative spiral set in.
NP: Why did you continue with the trio Roy – Gloria – Marsiglia for the next season?
GS: When we chose them, we preferred an internal solution because an external coach would not have been able to react in the short term. They knew the players. They succeeded in their operation. Now that they want to continue, we have to give them a chance. Furthermore, as we are almost keeping the same group, they have the chance to know it. It’s important not to break the dynamic they have managed to build.
NP: The transfer market has just opened, will there be changes in the team?
GS: Today, we have the same squad of 29 players, ideally, we would reduce to 23 players. It would be easier to manage. Civelli will stay, and Rémy is expected to leave. He will not be replaced position for position, the tactical scheme might be different. We have a lot of forwards: Mouloungui, Modeste, Poté… They are young with potential. Possible arrivals will depend on departures.
NP: What are your goals for next season?
GS: The objectives are the same as this year, that is to say, the top half of the table and the cup. We fell into a trap this season in Plabennec. The ground was snowy, we couldn’t land the plane, we ate very late because they didn’t want to serve us… We were really trapped. We will try to show ourselves next year.
NP: What do you think of the decision to dissolve the Brigade Sud?
GS: The dissolution was not necessary. The BSN was equated to what happened in Paris, and then Lyon was added to say: it’s not just the capital. The event in Monaco was not attributable to the BSN but to a handful of individuals infiltrating the stand. Now, since the BSN was not an organized structure, it was better to dissolve it. I hope we will find a real association with a board and responsible people.
NP: You have been in office for ten months. Are there any particular difficulties in the role of president?
GS: It takes time, but I am lucky enough to share the club with Patrick Governatori. It is a very difficult enterprise to manage because it is only about people. Communication with the media is not a problem, although I’ve had trouble with an impolite opinion piece. They can say what they want about the operation, but they have no right to judge the individuals.
