Lille OSC: Les Dogues

Lille OSC: Les Dogues

Stade Pierre Mauroy: The Home of Lille OSC: The Home of my New employers. I leant back into my sofa, and tuned into their pre-season game against the Under 21's, a farewell and tribute to outgoing manager Rudi Garcia, who was shipping out to Roma having won a league and cup double with the club in 2011/12's season.

The emotion in that staduim washed over me, even from home: these were going to be big shoes to fill, but I was confident...I started analysing every single player, looking for gaps, for poor performances, for an idea of the squad I would build, and the style they would play....

1

Day One: Training

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The Club's training facilities were simply gorgeous: laid out in an efficient manner, but looked and felt more like being on holiday than coming to work; i'm going to enjoy working here. From behind me, I heard my name being called: "Dyylaaaaan!" It cried, "Dyylaaaan! Wait for me!" I sighed, and turned to wait on my assistant manager, Gerard Bernardet, an older guy, but with that wise glint in his eye which made him almost invaluable; Gerard knew his stuff that's for sure

"Young man, you're going to have to slow down if you want me to make it through this season! I'm not as young as you; although i'm younger than your father, so all is not lost..."

Yes, Gerard, yes you are...every cloud huh? Whats up anyway?

"Oh, nothing much Mr De Rossi, just a training session to be had, and some players to meet...this way!" With a chuckle, Gerard picked his pace up, and bustled his way to the training ground, where my new team were waiting.



As I approached the squad, several expectant faces turned to meet my gaze: Nolan Roux, Ryan Mendes de Graca, Salomon Kalou, Rio Mavuba, and many more, all wore a face of both doubt and excitement: It was a strange mix...

Hi Guys... I greeted them in broken French, and recieved a murmur of greeting in return...Note to self: Work on the French

Look, I know not many of you will of heard of me, but I'm your new manager, and i'm keen to get started, working hard and winning games by playing good football; Who's in?

The murmur this time was more positive, and Salomon Kalou took on the role of squad spokesperson; "If we can win games, and play good football under you, i'm all for this!

Great, thanks...I reckon we could push for a mid-table position, maybe even qualify for Europe!

A grin ran its way round the circle of players now gathered around me, and with a cheer, they broke into groups for our first training exercise of the day.