At the end of a 2017-2018 season finished in eighth place, the president of OGC Nice took stock of a season that swung between highs and lows.
In an interview with the club’s media, President Rivère offers his analysis of the season, pays tribute to Lucien Favre, sketches a portrait of his successor, and confirms that he will continue to drive the project, in a new cycle, with General Manager Julien Fournier.
What is your assessment of this season?
Not qualifying for Europe is a regret. But given our budget, it was not a stated goal of the club at the start of the season.
Our message has not changed. Every year, we aim for the top third of the league and from time to time to reach Europe. Eighth place remains honorable and establishes the club in the upper ranks in the long term.
In hindsight, when the disappointment of Lyon subsides in a few weeks, will it still be a good season?
Yes. But the two previous seasons were exceptional. We were walking on water last year. Memory fades quickly. We declared at the time that those were exceptions. It’s easy to get used to the extraordinary. And when we are just good, I sometimes sensed the temptation to paint a bleak picture, despite a season where we eliminated Ajax at their home, experienced the thrill of the Champions League in Nice, made a good run in the Europa League, and fought until the end for Europe in the league after bouncing back.
Could this squad have aimed higher?
Yes. It could have enabled us to qualify for a European competition again. We could target the 5th place. It’s up to us to work, to be more effective to return to Europe in the future. Another regret is the elimination against Lokomotiv Moscow. There was enough room to pass.
What is your main satisfaction?
We never abandoned our playing principles. And we managed, at times, to raise our level. The significant moment will remain the qualification against Ajax. It wasn’t budgeted. It was the certainty of at least making it to the Europa League. And we know that gaining experience for our young squad provides it with means to improve. Then, with our poor Uefa ranking, we had to face Naples. The step was too high, but we could have reduced it. I’m not saying we would have won, but we would have had a better result if we had played this double confrontation later in the season.
Off the field, was moving into the new training and development center a significant moment of the season?
Yes. It represents a considerable financial effort for a club like OGC Nice. But when you want to evolve, you have to look in the medium and long term. The foundations of the club are sound. That’s my pride. The first year (2011-12) is to be forgotten because we didn’t have control. When we really started our project in 2012, we started from scratch, without a euro in the funds. Since then, we have been able to allocate money to structure the club. And today we have built a valuable playing asset. It means the club is equipped to face the future and difficult times if they arise. That’s a real satisfaction. That’s the foundation.
Despite this assessment, everything was not simple behind the scenes during the season. What impact did these turbulences have?
We’re not going to hide behind that. But it is true that the energy we had to deploy for many months with Julien to absorb this negative environment to prevent it from affecting the team wore us out a bit mentally. Not long ago, we seriously considered ending this beautiful story. But we’re too respectful and attached to this club, its employees, its supporters to put the OGC Nice institution in difficulty. No one is irreplaceable. But we considered the timing was not right. So we continue to drive the project, starting a new cycle. And we have the hope of making OGC Nice grow even further.
The offseason is starting, heralding the beginning of player movements. In terms of arrivals and departures. Alassane Plea has already suggested he has a release, while rumors about Mario Balotelli are naturally very present too…
As of now, no departure is confirmed. But it’s true that Alassane is at a point in his career where it becomes difficult to prevent him from exploring other opportunities. We have to respect that. We are here to develop players, and that has been his case. Mika Seri is in a similar situation. A very good player who has contributed significantly to the club and who might legitimately wish to move abroad.
As for Mario, he is still under contract, with clauses I will not reveal. If he expresses the desire to leave, we will wish him the best, having been very happy to have such an exceptional player with us for two years. Arrivals and departures are part of the life of a club. We are completely at ease with that.
