Papin determined to make his mark
Monday, August 27, 2007
Article summary
A proud Jean-Pierre Papin took charge at UEFA Cup hopefuls RC Lens determined to make his mark as a top-flight coach on the back of "rigour and hard work".
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'Genuinely happy'
"I'm genuinely happy that I am finally able to coach in my own region," said the 43-year-old, Boulogne-sur-Mer-born Papin, who took over from Guy Roux following his predecessor's resignation on Saturday. "My family are not so far away and it's a privilege to be here regardless of the situation the team are in. It's a very motivating challenge. I just hope that I can take Lens to the right place: the top half of the table."
Martel gamble
Papin's appointment represents something of a gamble for Lens president Gervais Martel, as the fledgling coach's experience pales in comparison to that of the 68-year-old Roux, a veteran of no fewer than 894 Ligue 1 matches. Papin has not coached a single top-flight match but he has forged a promising reputation after guiding amateur side FC Bassin d'Arcachon to promotion and then taking RC Strasbourg up from the French second tier last term. Now the 54-times capped former France international must lead Lens away from the lower reaches of Ligue 1 and negotiate a precariously-poised UEFA Cup qualifying tie.
European ambition
Lens are currently 18th in the French first division after picking up just two points from four matches while Papin's first brief is to overcome BSC Young Boys in the second leg of a UEFA Cup second round qualifying tie which stands at 1-1 after the away leg in Berne. "Guy gave me information on our opponents," said the former European Footballer of the Year. "We all want to have an excellent European campaign this season."
Defensive reputation
If there has been criticism of Papin's coaching style it is that the former striker's teams tend to adopt a defensive approach. "There are values I consider to be crucial, such as rigour and hard work," he said. "Without them I don't think you can win." As the first player to win the Ballon d'Or while playing in France the forward who won the UEFA Cup, the UEFA Champions League and six league titles knows a thing or two about success. He will be hoping to prove as much on Thursday.