Speculation swirls over manager Nancy’s future with CF Montréal

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On a day when CF Montréal’s accomplishments this season ought to have been celebrated, the discuss and hypothesis as a substitute surrounded the way forward for supervisor Wilfried Nancy, who has reworked the MLS membership right into a profitable facet whereas altering its tradition.

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In Nancy’s second season following years as an assistant coach with CFM, the workforce improved by 19 factors, completed second within the Jap Convention (20-9-5) and made it to the Jap Convention semifinal earlier than dropping at residence, final Sunday, to New York Metropolis FC, the defending MLS champions.

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Qualifying for the playoffs means the choice on Nancy’s 2023 contract is exercised, in response to sporting director Olivier Renard. However there’s hypothesis each Houston and Columbus want to rent the personable Nancy, who was edged by Philadelphia’s Jim Curtin as coach of the yr.

“Our coach is beneath contract,” Renard stated throughout Tuesday’s end-of-season media briefing at Centre Nutrilait. “No different membership has the best to contact our coach. (The repercussions) can be severe.”

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Any MLS workforce must pay a switch payment earlier than signing Nancy, who reportedly earned $180,000 this season. Nancy probably may additionally decide out of his deal by merely notifying the group he doesn’t need to return and, in response to a report in La Presse earlier this season, phrases had been exchanged between Nancy, proprietor Joey Saputo and president Gabriel Gervais following a July residence defeat to Sporting Kansas Metropolis.

Nancy refused to deal with his contract standing, though his gamers intimated any potential departure may present a chasm within the on-field growth.

“He wasn’t like several coach I’ve had earlier than,” stated attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, anticipated to start coaching together with his new membership, AZ Alkmaar within the Netherlands, subsequent week. “He tried to know the particular person past the participant. There have been some rising pains and some variations in personalities. However he advised me he grew as a coach due to me. Meaning rather a lot. He understood me like no coach did as an individual and participant. I’ll perpetually be grateful having him as a coach.”

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Whereas Mihailovic’s departure is assured, others will seemingly comply with.

Midfielder Victor Wanyama, who advised the Montreal Gazette earlier this month he didn’t anticipate to return after his contract expires, wouldn’t verify or deny he has performed his final recreation for CFM. Wanyama, who seemingly should take a diminished wage to return, stated he has spoken to administration and expects to speak to his agent on Wednesday.

Ahead Ismaël Koné virtually left for England’s Sheffield United earlier this season, whereas defender Kamal Miller and winger Alistair Johnston may draw consideration after being uncovered internationally representing Canada on the upcoming World Cup.

“If I wasn’t prepared for potential departures, why would I be right here?” Renard stated. “We now have at all times tried to rejuvenate the group and develop into a springboard for participant development.”

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Nancy, a 45-year-old native of France, was an assistant with the Impression in 2016 earlier than changing into supervisor on the eve of coaching camp final season following the resignation of Thierry Henry for household causes. The workforce was within the playoff hunt till Choice Day, falling brief and ending tenth, with a 12-12-10 file.

Nancy applied philosophical and tactical adjustments that slowly took root. CF Montréal established membership and league data this season, ending with the third-best mark amongst all groups. The facet scored 17 extra targets than final season and was sixth total in possession. Seventeen of CFM’s 63 targets had been produced by its again line, offering depth that had been missing. However it additionally had issues changing crosses into the center whereas conceding 50 targets in 34 video games, a statistic that should enhance shifting ahead.

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“I’ve been right here six years and that is the primary time I’ve made the playoffs,” stated captain Samuel Piette. “Years earlier than in Montreal we didn’t attain the highest and weren’t one of many elite groups. We’ve switched that. Now different groups need to be like us. It’s feeling. That is the usual we’ve got to maintain.

“Crucial factor is consistency. Not one recreation, one month or one yr.”

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

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