Corinne Diacre: Press conference

the replay of the press conference

Stefano Petruzzo: ‘Ambition and experience’

We are here to welcome Corinne Diacre to OM. We are very happy. As a player, she made over 120 appearances for France and played more than 350 games in the top flight with Soyaux. As a coach, she was the first woman to obtain a coaching diploma and the first woman to coach a men's team in Clermont before becoming the France team coach.

We sensed great determination and ambition in Corinne.

Corinne Diacre, the first choice

Corinne was our priority. We were looking for ambition and experience, with human qualities to structure the project in the long term. It was an obvious choice.

The project

We must continue with the long-term project on the sporting side, on training, we must train players. We have a foundation on which we can build. We've played two home games, and we want to improve the fan experience, turn the games into events, and celebrate football. Women's football and Martigues allow us to do that. With Corinne, the next step is to win games. We also need to advance training, improve infrastructure, and make progress in the medical field. We have a good foundation to work with.

Matches at the Orange Vélodrome

It's planned by the League, the Federation and ourselves. We have to do it, but we have to do it right. We have to choose the right moment to open the Orange Vélodrome to the Marseillaises.

Playing in Marseille

We're happy in Martigues. We don't know what will happen in a season or two. We'd like to play in Marseille. The Orange Vélodrome is an option, but not for all matches. There are options, and we are working on them to make it happen.

Corinne Diacre: ‘No ambition without training’

Contacts with OM

I was abroad. I didn't turn down OM's interest. We are asking ourselves questions. The project was well presented. There is work to be done at the OM Campus in terms of working conditions. The project was interesting enough. I liked the project. The objective is to stay up, but there is also a training project. The professional team cannot live or survive without training. This project appealed to me and that's why I wanted to come.

The Marseillaises group

Congratulations to Dalin Anrinfani for the three precious points. He finished on a high note. The handover was smoother. Everyone was delighted after this success. Something new is going to be put in place, not everything is to be discarded, there will be an evolution. I observe, I build on what already exists. I'm adding my own touch and we'll see what we can improve in the short, medium and long term.

Ambitions

In the medium term, it's to qualify OM for the European Cup. In the short term, it's to stay up. If that's achieved quickly, we'll see if we can trouble the teams higher up the table. There may be three or four new signings this winter.

His personality

I've had a lot of rest. I've had time to digest things because leaving wasn't easy. Marseille recruited me for my rigour and my high standards. I hope I haven't changed too much (laughs). I've had several assignments with FIFA and UEFA, and not just in women's football. I've been in contact with the highest level. It's like riding a bike, you don't forget how to do it even after two years. My first contact with the players went very well. I have my first team selection to make on Saturday. Not everyone will be satisfied, but that's football.

I've watched a lot of matches and there are several different styles of play. I adapt my plans and my principles of play to the qualities of my players. Having them on hand will allow me to analyse them and determine my style of play based on them. I'm the one who will adapt.

The difference between coach and selector

They are two different jobs. I let Dalin manage the session, but I learned all their names.

Taking over a team during the season

I'll work with the strengths I have. I'll work with the squad I have. The conditions are very clear, I'll adapt to the situation.

The Arkema Première Ligue

I left women's football in 2023. That's not so long ago. Women's football is evolving within the federation, which is quite positive for our sport.

Taking inspiration from the men's professional team

The Marseille players are young. We can take inspiration from certain individuals and adapt things to suit my team. I've asked to meet Roberto De Zerbi and I'll be at the Orange Vélodrome as soon as possible.

Short passing and long passing

I watched the Paris FC match yesterday, not Arsenal/Lyon. It's fashionable at the moment, but you have to have the ability to do it. I don't rule it out, provided we don't concede any goals. We have to put them in a position of confidence. Against Le Havre and Fleury, we conceded two goals quickly. We won't take any risks. It depends on the height of the opposing block.

Training

I haven't had a role with the federation for the last two years. You can't have ambition without focusing on training. We have to keep the DNA of OM, the mentality, and then go out and find foreign players. It will be up to me to take on that role. It will also cost less. This morning at training, we brought up the captain of our U19s. In women's football, it's not possible to separate the professionals from the others. There's the professional project, but we mustn't forget training.

Rodez in the Cup on Saturday

When you're promoted, it's never easy. We started against Lyon and there were two hiccups against Le Havre and Fleury. There was a good result in Montpellier in the League Cup. There was no questioning, they just forgot the game plan a little. It will be my first match on Saturday, so it would be a mess to lose it. The goal is to continue on from Saint-Etienne while preparing for PFC.

Continuity

I spoke to Dalin on the phone last week, and we discussed tactics. We had difficulties with the three-man defence. We agreed to switch back to a four-man defence. It worked right away. We can plan all the game plans we want, but if we're down 2-0 after ten minutes like we were against Fleury, it's useless. When we recover the ball, we want to go and score. An assistant specialising in video analysis will be joining us.

The fans and their enthusiasm

The Marseillaises need the Marseillais. We can't do without them. We see it with the boys at home. It's too important, we want it too. It's important for our identity. There are plans to create an exchange with the supporters.

The French women's team

I'm using my joker, if you'll allow me.

Women's football at OM

In the past, that wasn't the case, even though OM was in Division 1. There was a project without a project. Marseille tried to play the game, it worked more or less well, but today, the project is well and truly there. President Pablo Longoria, who is not in France at the moment, called me to welcome me.