Philippe Montanier did not waste a second to make his mark. Barely named, the new coach of AS Saint-Étienne is already imposing a rare intensity in the center of Étrat. In fact, he does not hesitate to interrupt sessions to correct the placement of his players. This wind of rigor arrives in an extremely heavy context. Supporter groups are also demanding accountability from a team lacking benchmarks. From then on, each decision of the coach is scrutinized with particular attention.
Old, first victim of the Montanier method?
Behind the scenes of the training center, a name is now circulating insistently: that of Ben Old. Considered an executive under the former management, the player today seems to be in a zone of tactical turbulence. Insistent echoes suggest that his profile would not completely convince the new staff. However, his status as holder until then seemed indisputable. This possible downgrading is now fueling all the conversations around the immediate future of the Greens.
The problem is above all strategic. Philippe Montanier favors collective animation over a fixed game system. He happily juggles between 4-3-3 and a three-way defense. In this logic, the role of “hybrid piston” of Ben Old raises questions. The coach is indeed seeking to densify his lanes with more athletic and disciplined profiles. Consequently, certain creative players could quickly lose their place in favor of profiles deemed more pragmatic for the maintenance mission.
Sporting choice or message to the locker room?
This questioning perfectly illustrates Montanier’s philosophy. Renowned for his outspokenness, the technician is never burdened by established statuses. By doing so, he sends a strong signal to a locker room sometimes considered too immature by its own fans. No player is now safe from a prolonged spell on the bench. This recovery aims to take responsibility for a group which has too often failed mentally this season.
For the moment, these tactical choices still require confirmation in an official match. However, doubt settles lastingly around several historical executives of the Saint-Etienne workforce. If these trends are confirmed in the next starting lineup, the message will be devastating for the former untouchables of the Horneland staff. The Montanier era could thus begin with a big, unexpected sweep. In Saint-Étienne, the reconstruction will obviously involve radical choices.
