The Ayes have it
Deal concluded very quickly -
the dream team is in place - JOHN CAMPBELL
WITHIN SECONDS OF STARTING UP THE
CONVERSATION leading to Franck Sauzee being offered the Manager's job at Easter Road, both
Franck and Chief Executive Rod Petrie knew what the outcome would be as they could see it
in each others eyes! So said a delighted Petrie today as the Club presented the fans
with the Christmas present they most wanted.
Offering the job and
discussing terms took Petrie and the new Gaffer all of 5 minutes. "You could tell from the look in Franck's eyes and probably
in mine too that we were on absolutely the same wavelength and the business part of our
conversation didn't take very long at all. He has been appointed until the end of
next season which co-incides with the length of his current contract but in truth the
business took about five minutes and then we chatted for an hour and a half about
football! It was in fact Franck's suggestion that the contract be of that length as
it was his recommendation and desire that we appoint Donald Park as his assistant and
First Team Coach"
The Dream Team - Park and Sauzee (sns)
Beaming with pride,
Petrie confirmed that Sauzee had been contacted earlier in the week to make him aware, as
Club Captain of the departure of Alex McLeish to Rangers but that the vacancy had not been
discussed in any detail at that time. The Board had met on a few occasions over the
last couple of days and set its criteria for a replacement and as Chairman Malcolm
McPherson explained, Sauzee fit their bill perfectly "He
is a man of great integrity, has vast playing experience for which he rightfully earns
huge respect within the game and he is a natural leader. Leadership is something you
either have or you don't. You are born with it and Franck has demonstrated both on
and off the park at Easter Road that he is blessed with that skill. I've been asked
whether I think appointing Franck is a risk because of his lack of managerial experience
and what I would say in response to that is there is a risk when you appoint any Manager
but I truly believe Franck is no bigger a risk than anyone else. He has been a
formidable presence at this Club and will continue to be so."
Neither the Chief
Executive or the Chairman would be drawn on whether Sauzee would be given any of the money
from the McLeish compensation deal or the cash from the Kenny Miller sell on deal.
McPherson said "Franck has not had the
opportunity to even think about these things yet but we will spend wisely if and when the
time comes. You heard Rod Petrie say that this Board has a proud record of
supporting its Manager when needed and I echo those sentiments. Let me say that when
we sat and listed the qualities we wanted from our new Manager and compared them to what
we know about Franck there was very little which didn't match. If he asks we'll
listen and I know that we seem to be getting money in from Rangers all over the place at
the moment but the money will be spent for the benefit of Hibs"
Sauzee only arrived
back in Edinburgh at 10.30 last night and had a brief conversation with Rod Petrie before
being asked to meet again at Easter Road this morning. McPherson smiled as he
explained that Franck's first question was not about how much he would get to spend on
players or even what his new salary might be but was instead "I want the job, when can I start" His enthusiasm greatly
encouraged the Board who had already satisfied themselves that he was the man they wanted.
"The fact that he was as enthusiastic about wanting the job as we were about
offering it too him was tremendous. He has an enormous love for this Club, this City
and most importantly the Hibs support and we are convinced he is the right man for the
job."
There is little doubt
that Sauzee is relishing the challenge. "It
is a strange feeling to be sitting here as Manager but I am both happy and proud and I
will do my very best for Hibernian Football Club. I was really surprised that Alex
left and when Rod Petrie telephoned me at home in France I was shocked with the news.
I do not blame Alex for taking that chance when it came; that is football and I
wish him well. I am delighted and at the same time a little sad because I must now
end my playing career as I cannot do both jobs and want to give the Managers job every bit
of my concentration. It is ironic because my Achilles is healing very well but now
it does not matter. I can say that my time at Hibernian has been the happiest of my
life and that I love Hibs and the fans who are always so nice to me."
Fans Favourite - the new Hibs boss (sns)
Sauzee has played
under an impressive array of Managers including Michel Platini, Arsene Wenger, Gerard
Houllier and of course McLeish whom he rates very highly and thinks will be a big success
at Ibrox because of his knowledge of and passion for the game. "Alex gave me great respect as a player here and trusted me to make
important decisions for myself and I will always be grateful to him for that. Of the
Managers I have played under I could not pick just one as the best but I will say I am
very impressed with the way Arsene Wenger is coaching at Arsenal."
Confirming that he had
selected Donald Park as his Assistant, Sauzee said "I
am delighted for Donald as he is a first class coach and I am sure we will work well
together. I trust him totally to do the right things and we will be getting together
to select the team for tomorrow's game at Dunfermline. I have already spoken briefly
to the players and have said that my priority is to have them 100% happy and so that they
will then all play as a team and for each other. I don't mind whether they call me
Franck or Gaffer because the respect they will earn is how they perform on and off the
park and not what name they use for me!"
One thing is
for sure; if you are planning on going to Dunfermline tomorrow you had better get there
early because everything is pointing to a full house as the loyal Hibs support turn up to
celebrate the appointment of the man they call Le God. |
Odds
