Impact Vice-President spent 11 years with the Bleu-blanc-noir
As far as successful careers go, not many can be prouder than Richard Legendre, the Executive Vice-President, Strategic Development and Communications of the Montreal Impact. After over 40 years working in the Quebec sports scene, Richard Legendre leaves a legacy behind that few can match in the history of sports in this province.
To highlight this career spanning through the worlds of tennis, provincial politics, and soccer, Legendre met with the media on Tuesday afternoon at Stade Saputo, to talk about the past, the present, and of course, the future, now that his full-time professional endeavours have come to an end.
On what the Impact means to him
“After 11 years with the Impact, it’s sort of become my starting 11. As you can imagine, it isn’t easy for me to tell you that I’m leaving the Montreal Impact, which I love profoundly. When I arrived in 2007, I was mostly blue and white. 11 years later, I am now and will forever be Bleu-blanc-noir.”
On what he left behind at the Impact
“Don’t remember me, but remember the Montreal Impact’s incredible growth over the past few years. What’s happened the past few years is phenomenal. The progress made on all fronts is incredible. I was lucky to be a part of it and accompany Joey and the rest of the club. That’s what needs to be remembered: the enormous amount of progress made.”
On announcing his decision
“I needed all my people in the past 48 hours because it was quite difficult for me. I wasn’t doubting my decision. The closer it came, the surer I was that I was making the right choice. But it’s two times harder for me. It’s difficult leaving the Impact, which runs through my veins, but it’s also difficult to use the word retirement.”
On what he’ll miss the most
“Everything. I’m a sports guy. Yes, it’s my job, but I couldn’t miss a game. Not here, not on TV, not on the radio. I’ll miss all the teamwork around the job, and the communication, whether it’s with fans, partners, or the media. What’s fascinating, and obviously I’ve had this privilege myself, is the extremely diverse side of sports. The world of sports is vast and everything but calm.”
On the reasoning behind the decision
“I find I am too young to continue working full-time!”
