Amidst a poor run of form, RC Strasbourg Alsace manager Patrick Vieira has called for patience in the project during an interview with L’Équipe.
After a promising start to the season, which began with back-to-back victories, Strasbourg’s form has slumped. Vieira’s side have lost their last two matches and have just four points from their last five matches. Their latest defeat, at home against FC Nantes, drew boos from La Meinau. The club’s supporter groups have remained vocal since, with the Fédération Supporters RCS addressing a letter to President Marc Keller, notably criticising Strasbourg’s transfer dealings. The group is unhappy with the lack of experience recruited this summer. Since the club’s takeover from BlueCo, who also own Premier League side Chelsea, Les Alsaciens have exclusively recruited youth prospects.
Vieira is therefore calling for patience in the project. “You have to look at things globally with last season and next season as well. My team has lost players (Alexander Djiku, Dimitri Liénard, Morgan Sanson), and some other key players were present in pre-season before ultimately leaving (Habib Diallo, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde), when we had to hope of keeping them. You need to give the recruits the time to flourish. I knew that when I came here,” said former Crystal Palace manager Vieira.
He added, “We are starting a new cycle and we are all in harmony about where we are today and where we want to go tomorrow. But I know that the most important thing in this business is results.”
Vieira also believes that Strasbourg’s partnership with Chelsea shouldn’t blind people to the reality of the project at the Ligue 1 club. “Perhaps people outside don’t see the progression as quickly as they would like, but we can’t be blinded by the fact that we’re linked to Chelsea,” he said.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
