Former Impact player named administrative director of soccer operations
The Montreal Impact made a big announcement: former Bleu-blanc-noir player Patrick Leduc is back with the club, this time off the pitch, as the new administrative director of soccer operations. Leduc is somewhat of a club legend, having played over 200 games for the Bleu-blanc-noir, helping the club win championships in 2004 and 2009.
Leduc and Impact president Joey Saputo met with the media Thursday morning at Centre Nutrilait to answer some questions regarding the details of his new position. Here are the highlights from the presser:
On his return to the Impact
“I’m back. It’s with a great deal of pleasure, pride, and enthusiasm that I begin this new chapter with the Montreal Impact. You’ll say that I was never really too far away, and you’d be right to a certain extent. But today, it’s time to go from words to actions, if you see what I mean.”
On what the Impact means to him
“It is a major flaw to be a journalist when you’re unable to ignore what truly lives within your soul. What can I say, the Impact is part of my DNA. That’s why today, I feel like I’m returning home; the place I want to be and where I’d like to invite all of Quebec’s soccer to assemble in order to allow our efforts to bring us more success.”
On his work with the first team
“We’ll be looking to create a bridge between the Academy and the first team. That’ll be one of my first roles. I also put myself at the service of the first team as administrative support. Everything regarding what the first team needs will be my responsibility.”
On the club’s identity
“The club’s identity, for 25 years, seems pretty clear to me. I would like for the Academy to be the driving force, the first creator of players with this identity. Sure, these are nice words, but we need to work for that to happen. We can apply certain methods that will allow us to have players with a Bleu-blanc-noir DNA, and who will proudly represent the club.”
On attracting local talent
“I think we must get the best players from our province. We can even look outside the borders of our province to attract players. If you’re a player in Quebec, the Impact is the team you must aspire to. I think young players do, but we can do an even better job of getting them involved with the club and getting even coaches involved to work towards this club’s success.”
