Olivier Renard is a good chess player. He sits down at the table and starts moving pieces strategically. Concretely, the vice-president and chief sports officer of CF Montreal chooses his coaching staff, fetches players during transfer windows and tries to build a team that can allow him to triumph.
The problem is that his opponents do not play by the same rules. Instead of advancing pawns and calculating the impact of each decision as if their lives depended on it, they do as they please and continue to untie the purse strings.
It was in the face of this observation and during a rollercoaster season that Renard met with members of the media on Thursday, the day after the closing of the summer transfer window in MLS.
“So me, I’m making the best team possible with what I have. This is not a criticism at all of my management above me, it really is the reality. I’m happy with the players we have,” he added.
During the transfer window, Montreal acquired forward Kwadwo Opoku for $1.75 million and defender Fernando Álvares for $1 million, according to various sources. He also traded one of his top defensemen, Rudy Camacho, to the Columbus Crew for $400,000.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, the Vancouver Whitecaps have acquired Team Canada fullback duo Ritchie Laryea and Sam Adekugbe. The Crew got their hands on the top scorer on the circuit in 2020, Diego Rossi. Then Nashville SC acquired England striker Sam Surridge from Nottingham Forrest.
Without forgetting, of course, that there was also Inter Miami. David Beckham’s side have acquired Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and even the promising Julián Fernández and Tomás Avilés.
“It is certain and certain that these are teams that have strengthened in a dazzling way compared to us, but it is a reality that is happening. But I repeat, everyone lives in their own world,” Renard said.
The Impact will live in a world in which it will be the Greek national team of 2004, unexpected Euro champions… At least, it wishes.
“Patience,” Renard repeated throughout his 20-minute press briefing regarding his troop’s results. It should be noted, however, that Montreal is not on fire. The club are just one point out of the playoffs and hold a game in hand over the team they are chasing, D.C. United.
However, we feel that the wind of panic among the supporters, who have seen their club whitewashed in 12 of its 23 games in MLS this season, has reached the Belgian. Last year, the Bleu-blanc-noir finished third in the standings and broke several club and circuit records. This season, rather than being able to build on these successes – with the departure of key cogs – the club is embarking on a new cycle.
He would like to recall that during Wilfried Nancy’s first season in office, the team did not qualify for the playoffs. However, the following season, in 2022, was glory.
With this tactic, he gives himself time and leeway for the current campaign. However, he paints himself in a corner for next year, where results become imperative. And this, even if Montreal will still have the smallest payroll in MLS.
Finally, even if Fox says he can’t do miracles, he obviously has to. Whether he likes it or not.