Hernán Losada became head coach of CF Montreal in December 2022. Since then, he has not worked a single day. At least, so he says.
At aperitif time on Tuesday, the Argentinian pilot invites La Presse to the Café Olimpico, in the Old Port of Montreal. A charming establishment that seduces its many customers with its opulent decor, enhanced by its marble tables and counters, but which remains quite warm.
As the Argentine settles in, a replay of an FC Barcelona match plays on TV a little further away. “Let’s say that the presence of Ousmane Dembélé, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets betrays the fact that the match is a bit dated”, notes the journalist.
Losada agrees, before asking if the author of these lines saw the duel of the day before between Manchester United and Wolverhampton. Everyone is quickly coming to the conclusion that Wolves deserved a better fate.
The day before, Sunday? He was glued to his screen for the clash between Liverpool and Chelsea. And what did he plan to do after the interview? Despite his 11 hours spent at the Nutrilait Center on this sunny day, to lead the training of the group.
Well, “Inter Miami takes on the Philadelphia Union,” he replies tit for tat.
The only thing he wants to do off the pitch is see more of it. It is not by obligation, but by passion.
“I’m privileged to do something that I love,” he admits. I work in a good atmosphere with a lot of young people. All the staff are very young, the players are young and that keeps me young myself. »
Still, the coach has interests outside of soccer. He notably attended the Foo Fighters concert at the Verdun Auditorium, as well as Metallica’s first show at the Olympic Stadium, a question of rocking his rocker heart. However, he missed Metallica’s second night because he had to be ready for work on Monday morning.
He concedes it’s not always easy being a head coach, but it’s the love of his life.
“It’s not just the management of the group, it’s also the management of your staff, the media, the supporters and the management. There are a lot of things that come on the shoulders of a head coach, but it’s a job that I love. »
“It’s not just tactics or Monday to Sunday training, it’s much more than that. It’s human management. And that is one of the most important things in my position,” the 41-year-old said.
When Losada took over in Montreal, one of the first fan contacts with him was a disparaging article from The Athletic. A cobblestone that related some comments from players of his former club, D.C. United, evoking the very demanding methods of the coach and a rather low morale in the ranks.
However, since his arrival in Montreal, this is not really what we perceive. At club training, even if they can stretch on occasion, the intensity and especially the smiles are present.
The former attacking midfielder is therefore the first to throw flowers at his group, responsible for this good atmosphere. “It’s a young group, very nice, listening all the time and very open to working and improving. It’s a really good group for a head coach to work with every day,” he said.
Obviously, work on the ground, but not only. There are other places where the team can progress and develop this esprit de corps. Losada therefore took advantage of the three-week break, due to an elimination in the group stage at the League Cup, to organize a fun activity.
A scene straight out of Ted Lasso.
Players and coaches went to Maisonneuve Park to do nine activities. It could be shooting at a hockey net or just hitting targets with a frisbee. Each station gave access to a question about the city of Montreal, and ultimately, the teams tried to form a nine-letter word to win.
In short, players were trying to get their hands on a prize and in the process, they were “discovering the city in which they live and for which they play”. A speech in tune with what the polyglot thinks of his new city.
The Argentinian does not hide it, one of the “privileges” of his job is to travel and discover different cultures and mentalities. The one who is on a third job in soccer did not take long to acclimatize to Montreal, even if he had never set foot there before. Speaking impeccable French helps, of course.
“For the integration and adaptation of someone who comes from another country, it feels good. Yes, I want to thank the CF Montreal club, but also the city itself, because it’s very pleasant to live there, “said the coach as the interview continued on the esplanade of Old Montreal. Port.
Despite a few irritants, like endless traffic congestion and cold winters, Losada loves Montreal and everything the city has to offer.
Although he knows that his adventure here will not last forever, the metropolis will have forged a part of his life.
