Hervé Yvars: “We want to offer a great show to the supporters”

Foot Mercato: hello coach, can you introduce yourself and your background to our readers?

Hervé Yvars : I trained at OL until I was 16. I mainly played at FC Vaulx and UGA Décines. I played a 7th round in 2003 with UGA Décines against Grenoble which was already in Ligue 2. We took 4-0, I remember that Robert Malm scored twice. I also met them in CFA2 when I was coach of Chassieu. I also started my career on the bench at Chassieu-Décines then I spent 7 years at Ain Sud and I moved up to N3. I did 5 years in N3. I joined Chambéry last summer.

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FM: How did your first contacts with the club take place?

HY : I often met Chambéry during my coaching career. This summer, I had President Jean-Louis Saint-Bonnet and today we are working together. I still live in Lyon and the feeling with the president pushed me to join this team. From my first discussions, I had the image of a healthy and structured club, that inevitably weighs in the balance.

FM: what are the big differences between your previous experiences and your current experience in Chambéry?

HY : it’s another dimension compared to what I’ve known so far. You are in a city much bigger than Chassieu or Beynost. In the big stadium, there will be 3500 and 4000 spectators. It is a city very fond of sport with also handball and rugby teams.

«there is everything to reach the upper echelons»

FM: when we see the enthusiasm and the infrastructure present in Chambéry, we could almost be surprised to see that the club is only in N3…what are your long-term objectives and do you plan for yourself with the Savoyard club ?

HY : there is everything to reach the higher levels, you have to give yourself the means to get there. I’m planning ahead but football goes in both directions very quickly. I’m enjoying the present moments and for the moment, I’m very good. I work in excellent conditions to be fulfilled.

FM: tomorrow, you face Grenoble in the 8th round of the Coupe de France. How do you approach this meeting, is there more pressure at the idea of ​​facing a Ligue 2 player?

HY : this does not add pressure for tomorrow’s match. When you get to the 8th round, you obviously want to go higher to meet a Ligue 2 or even a Ligue 1. It’s going to be a great party. We want to offer a great show to the supporters. We didn’t change our training habits. We worked as we do when it comes to a championship match. I think that given the number of players who have already participated in this type of meeting. There is no such thing as too much euphoria.

“we’ve seen it at every turn, there are surprises”

FM: in fact, we have the impression that there is a sort of haircut culture in Chambéry…does that add pressure to you?

HY : No, on the contrary, it takes the pressure off as I said (laughs). Last season, this same group was 16th finalist against OL. The club also made a quarter-final in 2010-11. There is a sort of science to this competition which is reassuring.

FM: what will your weapons be against Grenoble? Besides, how do you judge this future opponent?

HY : we saw them at work against Villefranche during the previous round. Obviously, they are professionals and we know they are a great team. We try to find certain offensive and defensive flaws to get out of it. We did ordinary work as I said, we didn’t innovate this week. They will have to be a little lower and we will have to be at 200%. We saw La Duchère’s 4-1 against Bastia, that gives you ideas. We have seen it at every turn, there are surprises. We are aware of the arduous task that awaits us. We will try to give our best and finish with our heads held high.

FM: Vincent Hognon also had complimentary words about you and your team. This must definitely be flattering…

HY : it’s always nice when a professional trainer says something good about yourself. That doesn’t surprise me too much about the character, given the player he was, he’s a very good coach and full of humility. I recognize myself in his coaches there. I’m sure he will have the same speech I had when I met teams that were lower than us in terms of level. The trap is there because I think we must always put the players on alert.

FM: Do you have models that you draw inspiration from in terms of coaching?

HY : I don’t particularly have any models. There are cracks but I can’t say that my model is, for example, a Guardiola. I have my own beliefs. I try to do my best and improve every day. My amateur background is my strength. I’ve already done an 8th lap at Chassieu-Décines, that obviously puts things into perspective. I no longer approach these kinds of meetings with apprehension. You have less pressure so you are obviously more serene with age and experience.

FM: even if we talk a lot about the Coupe de France, what are your objectives in the championship? Your team is currently sixth and you have only suffered two defeats…

HY : for this year, we were drafted so obviously the objectives are lower in the championship. We had prepared a squad for R1 but we played in N3. Finally, we’re going a little far away. We don’t want to rush and skip steps. We want to maintain our position quickly while being ambitious and not denying ourselves the first places if we have the opportunity. The Coupe de France will be the icing on the cake. We don’t forget the match against Limonest, which will be our last of the year, next week.

“Nassim Akrour? Frankly, he is exceptional”

FM: what will be the keys to a possible exploit against Grenoble this Saturday?

HY : we will have to focus on defending well. You shouldn’t expect to have possession because they are a Ligue 2 team. We know that on a technical level, they are a superior team. You will have to have the heart and evolve in a low block. In the offensive phase, we will have to be dangerous whether on the counter or on a placed attack.

FM: this match will also be an opportunity for Nassim Akrour to return to GF38 where he is considered a legend. What is his approach before this big meeting for him?

HY : we had a lot of requests this week for him (laughs). It’s a nice wink for him. He is the top scorer in the history of GF38. For my part, I discovered it this year. Frankly, he is exceptional. He is impeccable and I understand why he still plays at this level at his age (49). He arrives an hour early and while the others are still in the locker room, he is in the weight room.

FM: he must really help you with your group too…

HY : he’s a real relay and with what he’s experienced as a player, he’s a strength for our young players. When I know the professional world, it’s rare to have such a humble person. He is older than me. He’s not someone who puts himself in the spotlight. He is a big help to our young attackers. He is always decisive when I call on him so it is a luxury to be able to count on such a player.