The Impact / CF Montreal has a tumultuous history. Acrimonious relations with partisan groups. Multiple changes to key positions. This bad impression of a daily micromanagement according to the moods of the owner.
Culminating point, this risky “rebranding” which led to the abandonment of everything that had become impregnated in the collective unconscious.
Kevin Gilmore is not as bad a manager as all that is said about him in the public space. But he was an atrocious cast for such a sensitive position. As a result, with great pride and with his ego at the antipodes of modesty, he presided over this transformation.
Exactly as people who are insecure and unqualified for a job do. They impose, camped on their statute. Ultimately, the resounding failure landed Gilmore in the unemployment office, not without igniting an already strained relationship with the club’s supporter groups.
A long way in two years
I feel like I’m writing a chapter from 10 years ago. However… It is because the water has been flowing in great waves under the bridges since then. CF Montreal has come a long way in less than two years than in its entire history in MLS before.
This is the first time that we feel the organization is so solid, so credible. Joey Saputo made a string of excellent decisions. As a result, the 11 Montrealer brought back a child from the organization to install him in the president’s chair. Gabriel Gervais is a tenor in the business world.
A rising star who could not refuse the call of the homeland. The Impact is his team. Gervais has his letters and will know how to properly structure the various administrative departments of the club.
From the depth
Olivier Renard is equal to the consecrated expression: end. The technical director shows an undeniable flair for good deals. Very far on the list of MLS salary envelopes, CF Montreal has one of the deepest rosters. Injuries don’t affect results, the strength of the bench ignores them as much as busy schedules.
Playing four games in 10 days isn’t easy when your stash is lukewarm. This is not the case with Blue White and Black. At the end of the season, this is what will make the difference and will allow fans to vibrate for a few playoff games of their favorites.
Wilfried Nancy amazes a little more every day. Philosopher, well balanced between calm and storm, this formidable soccer head turns out to be an exceptional director. To say that we even hesitated to call it plan B following the hasty departure of Thierry Henry…
A rare visit
Tomorrow, CF hosts Real Salt Lake from 4 p.m. at Saputo Stadium, which needs a dose of love to meet MLS 2022 standards. Hello, governments, can we act without delay please? The money is there, Joey Saputo is not likely to beg for a grant. He is a proud businessman who wants the best for his club. A stadium that needs love and a club that rightly asks for it. In the latter case, it is up to the supporters to act. It’s up to eurosnobs to come and see a match to see the high level of play in MLS, which has been improving significantly for a few seasons.
Support groups to join the movement. All together, all at the stadium. Come on, Montreal!
To the Laval Rocket and its supporters. Jean-François Houle’s team is very well prepared. She is also determined. This group led by veterans Xavier Ouellet, Cédric Paquette and Alex Belzile seems to want to write a great story. The packed houses accumulate at Place Bell, the buzz is good. It would be cool if it continued for a while.
To the decision makers of the Canadian Football League. The seven-year agreement in principle for the renewal of the collective agreement has what it takes to stun almost entirely the local content of the teams of the circuit. The survival and health of this league depends on greater respect for Canada’s extraordinary college football programs, but the CFL doesn’t understand that.
A victory for David Lemieux against David Benavidez tonight. Nothing scientific, just an impulse from the heart. I really like David. Charismatic, he is a fighter who does not choose. A lion who rushes headlong, whose mission is always to hurt his opponent and please boxing fans. New dad, Lemieux deserves one last big dance. It’s on PunchingGrace.com
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