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Lens, France
For immediate release:
Racing Club de Lens are delighted to welcome manager Chris Spero to lead us into a new era. Manager Spero most recently completed one season at Bayer Leverkusen where despite much adversity was able to avoid relegation and keep them in EFL 1.
Manager Spero took a few questions from the local media, here is the transcript.
You didn't last very long at Leverkusen, what led you to come to Lens?
"Lens is a completely different project than Leverkusen was when I took the helm. Lens is a very young squad who only made its debut in FFO in season 3. Developing young players and working toward a common goal is something I relish as a manager. While the fan base is excited to see Lens gain some notoriety in FFO, we have got much work to do."
What are your thoughts on the current players in the squad.
"As you are all aware we finished near the bottom of the table last season so we have room to grow. Despite our league standing, we have got some positive things going for us. First off financially, we are in a good position. We plan to invest in expanding our stadium in order to maintain a healthy balance sheet as well as continue to grow.
Second, our core 6 players are all 25 or younger with 3 of those being under 22. This includes the recent acquisition to our defense who is only 17. Sprinkled amongst the youth we have a couple of veterans whose contributions on and off the pitch can not be over looked. We had only 5 players 30 or over but I expect by next week to be down to only 3.
Our plan with the roster is to refine and get younger where we can. We are not looking to push our veterans out but we also understand this may not be the best close season make a large financial investment in one player. We've got many areas to improve so the plan is going to be to improve incrementally rather that try to impulse buy. Having a strong P&L at this level of FFO is crucial.
I am excited to get to work"
What expectations has the board communicated to you for the upcoming season and beyond?
"This will be year 1 of a multi year project. As far as the league goes, mid table perhaps having a nimble at a playoff spot would be a very successful season for us. I'd like us to be competitive in the EFL Cup as well, this is always something that excites the fan base.
Thank you for your time."
449 words
For immediate release:
Racing Club de Lens are delighted to welcome manager Chris Spero to lead us into a new era. Manager Spero most recently completed one season at Bayer Leverkusen where despite much adversity was able to avoid relegation and keep them in EFL 1.
Manager Spero took a few questions from the local media, here is the transcript.
You didn't last very long at Leverkusen, what led you to come to Lens?
"Lens is a completely different project than Leverkusen was when I took the helm. Lens is a very young squad who only made its debut in FFO in season 3. Developing young players and working toward a common goal is something I relish as a manager. While the fan base is excited to see Lens gain some notoriety in FFO, we have got much work to do."
What are your thoughts on the current players in the squad.
"As you are all aware we finished near the bottom of the table last season so we have room to grow. Despite our league standing, we have got some positive things going for us. First off financially, we are in a good position. We plan to invest in expanding our stadium in order to maintain a healthy balance sheet as well as continue to grow.
Second, our core 6 players are all 25 or younger with 3 of those being under 22. This includes the recent acquisition to our defense who is only 17. Sprinkled amongst the youth we have a couple of veterans whose contributions on and off the pitch can not be over looked. We had only 5 players 30 or over but I expect by next week to be down to only 3.
Our plan with the roster is to refine and get younger where we can. We are not looking to push our veterans out but we also understand this may not be the best close season make a large financial investment in one player. We've got many areas to improve so the plan is going to be to improve incrementally rather that try to impulse buy. Having a strong P&L at this level of FFO is crucial.
I am excited to get to work"
What expectations has the board communicated to you for the upcoming season and beyond?
"This will be year 1 of a multi year project. As far as the league goes, mid table perhaps having a nimble at a playoff spot would be a very successful season for us. I'd like us to be competitive in the EFL Cup as well, this is always something that excites the fan base.
Thank you for your time."
449 words