José Riga explains why he joined Charlton: "I felt that I was indebted to Roland Duchâtelet"
Saving the London club Charlton, José Riga conducted its mission. He would now like to extend his adventure in England Club a Roland Duchâtelet.
Seduced by what he lived for seven weeks Charlton and proud to have achieved the feat of maintaining the London club, José Riga hope to continue the adventure. Back in Belgium last week, the VISE evokes the challenge he managed to overcome, as the first Belgian coach of an English club.
José Riga appreciated. All appreciated. The hyperprofessionnelles structures Charlton, the overall level of the Championship (English D2), prestige teams who evolve (Leeds, Nottingham, Watford, Middlesbrough, QPR, Millwall, Birmingham, Blackburn, Ipswich ...), the atmosphere in stages. "With assistance between 20,000 and sometimes more than 30,000 spectators, even for matches in week" , he said. "This competition, where only four teams out of twenty-four did not know the Premier League, generates a turnover of three quarters of a billion euros. Another world ... "
It is in this setting that José Riga lived for seven weeks, from March 13 to May 3, linking this short period 16 league games to save Charlton from relegation. "By accepting this challenge, I have not thinking of me, as I had more to lose than to win " , says he. 'If I did, it is because I am a man of challenge, but also because I' felt that I was indebted to Roland Duchâtelet of the season that I had not honored the Standard to join Aspire Academy in Qatar. "
Riga had yet started its mission in a terribly stormy context, following the dismissal of Chris Powell, his predecessor, considered the child of the house. Charlton then relegation. "I landed in London on a Monday and coached my first game two days later, without any preparation and without knowing my staff, team, competition, the club and its structures. There could be no more difficult situation. Based on my intuition and my knowledge, I made my choice and just went ... "
If the old Rouches Reza Ajdarevic and played a lot, Thuram and Koc did not have a voice. "It is not a question of quality but only context of the moment. The only goal that was assigned to me was to save Charlton, not to please. Relegation was terrible, sporting but also financially ... "
His team lacking a true scorer, José Riga has tightened the bolts defense favor players like Diego Poyet, showed personality. And the results followed. "After my third match, Charlton had left the place down and never returned once in the relegation zone. It has also signed a record by taking 11 points by registering three goals ... only. That was the way of salvation ... "
José Riga remember like it was yesterday the first message sent to his players. "I told them we did not have the best team, but that was to form the best group in terms of class, of involvement. We had to be flawless on that front and if that were the case, we could compete with everyone, what we did, thanks to my assistant, Karel Fraeye, and technical staff valuable, since such a result is never the property of one person ... "
And well done. So much so that today, when the mission is complete, José Riga keep thinking about Charlton, a club that has adopted and where it was adopted. "When I left London, players, journalists and supporters have asked me if they would see me again. I could not give any answer because if my priority is to continue the adventure in Charlton, I'm not the decision maker . "
So Roland Duchâtelet a decision. "I'm interested, 100% , "said Riga. "I appreciated the context, stadiums, respect vis-à-vis managers, referees. I told the President that I had felt very well there. He knows ... "
Meanwhile, the work done by the technician Liège has not gone unnoticed, nor its results. Both clubs now stand at his door: Fulham, who has left the Premier League, and Queen's Park Rangers, two teams based in London. "I have heard, indeed, an interest of both clubs' confirms José Riga. "But as I said, and I said to Roland Duchâtelet, I give priority to Charlton ... "
So Roland Duchâtelet a decision. "I'm interested, 100% , "said Riga. "I appreciated the context, stadiums, respect vis-à-vis managers, referees. I told the President that I had felt very well there. He knows ... "
Meanwhile, the work done by the technician Liège has not gone unnoticed, nor its results. Both clubs now stand at his door: Fulham, who has left the Premier League, and Queen's Park Rangers, two teams based in London. "I have heard, indeed, an interest of both clubs' confirms José Riga. "But as I said, and I said to Roland Duchâtelet, I give priority to Charlton ... "
Yes, i confirm he did tell me, and i told him i would get his name tatooed on my read-end.
Also sounds like the Paul Hart to City, Riga to replace him "long term strategy" was complete rubbish... (the second part anyway)
When I spoke to Ben Roberts at the Sponsors evening recently he genuinely was surprised when I mentioned Paul Hart going to City. Doesn't mean that Hart won't leave, and I hope he does stay!
Interesting to hear the Belgian perspective on the Championship, perhaps we fail to appreciate the challenge of this league. Jose is a very open guy who seems to wear his heart on his sleeve, which I like. Maybe we can all come together again, encouraged by the fact that having lost one lovely guy, we have found another one. Lucky us if he signs.
Also sounds like the Paul Hart to City, Riga to replace him "long term strategy" was complete rubbish... (the second part anyway)
Why do you say that ?
Because what Riga is saying sounds like he came here purely as a short term favour for Roland, he's been surprised by how much he likes it and while he's aware of other clubs interest he'd like to stay in England with Charlton. Doesn't sound like he was part of some master plan that had been orchestrated some months ago...
Riga can do no more now. Roly, stop dithering and sign him up please.
It would nice to see Roland and his team pick the pace up. The championship is a strong and competitive league. I really would like to see some intensity and direction, that includes making positive moves on the business side with managers and players contracts. Sorting the head coach out is a vital piece of the jigsaw.
I am trying to fight against the impression that the Roland and his football advisors are not really up to the pace and intensity of the championship; and the speed to which things need to get done for the club to be successful.
Comments
José Riga explains why he joined Charlton: "I felt that I was indebted to Roland Duchâtelet"
Saving the London club Charlton, José Riga conducted its mission. He would now like to extend his adventure in England Club a Roland Duchâtelet.
Seduced by what he lived for seven weeks Charlton and proud to have achieved the feat of maintaining the London club, José Riga hope to continue the adventure. Back in Belgium last week, the VISE evokes the challenge he managed to overcome, as the first Belgian coach of an English club.
José Riga appreciated. All appreciated. The hyperprofessionnelles structures Charlton, the overall level of the Championship (English D2), prestige teams who evolve (Leeds, Nottingham, Watford, Middlesbrough, QPR, Millwall, Birmingham, Blackburn, Ipswich ...), the atmosphere in stages. "With assistance between 20,000 and sometimes more than 30,000 spectators, even for matches in week" , he said. "This competition, where only four teams out of twenty-four did not know the Premier League, generates a turnover of three quarters of a billion euros. Another world ... "
It is in this setting that José Riga lived for seven weeks, from March 13 to May 3, linking this short period 16 league games to save Charlton from relegation. "By accepting this challenge, I have not thinking of me, as I had more to lose than to win " , says he. 'If I did, it is because I am a man of challenge, but also because I' felt that I was indebted to Roland Duchâtelet of the season that I had not honored the Standard to join Aspire Academy in Qatar. "
Riga had yet started its mission in a terribly stormy context, following the dismissal of Chris Powell, his predecessor, considered the child of the house. Charlton then relegation. "I landed in London on a Monday and coached my first game two days later, without any preparation and without knowing my staff, team, competition, the club and its structures. There could be no more difficult situation. Based on my intuition and my knowledge, I made my choice and just went ... "
If the old Rouches Reza Ajdarevic and played a lot, Thuram and Koc did not have a voice. "It is not a question of quality but only context of the moment. The only goal that was assigned to me was to save Charlton, not to please. Relegation was terrible, sporting but also financially ... "
His team lacking a true scorer, José Riga has tightened the bolts defense favor players like Diego Poyet, showed personality. And the results followed. "After my third match, Charlton had left the place down and never returned once in the relegation zone. It has also signed a record by taking 11 points by registering three goals ... only. That was the way of salvation ... "
José Riga remember like it was yesterday the first message sent to his players. "I told them we did not have the best team, but that was to form the best group in terms of class, of involvement. We had to be flawless on that front and if that were the case, we could compete with everyone, what we did, thanks to my assistant, Karel Fraeye, and technical staff valuable, since such a result is never the property of one person ... "
And well done. So much so that today, when the mission is complete, José Riga keep thinking about Charlton, a club that has adopted and where it was adopted. "When I left London, players, journalists and supporters have asked me if they would see me again. I could not give any answer because if my priority is to continue the adventure in Charlton, I'm not the decision maker . "
So Roland Duchâtelet a decision. "I'm interested, 100% , "said Riga. "I appreciated the context, stadiums, respect vis-à-vis managers, referees. I told the President that I had felt very well there. He knows ... "
Meanwhile, the work done by the technician Liège has not gone unnoticed, nor its results. Both clubs now stand at his door: Fulham, who has left the Premier League, and Queen's Park Rangers, two teams based in London. "I have heard, indeed, an interest of both clubs' confirms José Riga. "But as I said, and I said to Roland Duchâtelet, I give priority to Charlton ... "
We've what appears a decent guy who everyone is currently signed up with and behind.
Put a stamp on it, end the uncertainty, and lets all move forward together.
was told on Saturday that Riga will be staying, the end source being a prominent player.
just passing on what I was told.
I think we understand, it was whoever was recruiting players in January that didn't.
If they fail to qualify for the Champions League, Riga, after impressing here, gets promoted 'back' to Liege ?
Don't go there : - )
I am trying to fight against the impression that the Roland and his football advisors are not really up to the pace and intensity of the championship; and the speed to which things need to get done for the club to be successful.
Seriously though, I hope we get him signed up ASAP, did a great job for us.