‘You’ll have to find a new punching bag’ – Lille manager Bruno Genesio hits back at critics
‘You’ll have to find a new punching bag’ – Lille manager Bruno Genesio hits back at critics Lille OSC and Bruno Genesio have been on the receiving end of plenty of criticism this season. Despite the club still being in the running for UEFA Champions League qualification, Lille bowed out of the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa League in meek fashion. The criticism has intensified since the exit from the UEL at the hands of Aston Villa in midweek.
Ahead of Sunday’s match against Olympique de Marseille at the Vélodrome, Genesio hit back. “When I leave Ligue 1, you’ll have to find a new punhcing bag. I’ll give you a bit of time to choose who to set your sights on,” began the former Stade Rennais and Olympique Lyonnais manager in his pre-match press conference.
“I have been coaching for 10 years. I have nearly 300 matches in Ligue 1. I checked because I prepared my press conference pretty well, and I have 1.
8 points on average over 10 years. I don’t think that’s too bad. But I am a bit fed up with my work, my performances, as well as that of my staff, being reduced to the fact that I have a good relationship with my players, that tactically, there is nothing going on, and that when we play with five in defence, it is very defensive.
I am a bit fed up of hearing that for about 10 years, and it is always the same people,” added the LOSC manager. After responding in the press conference, he then responded on the pitch. Despite going 1-0 down to OM, second-half goals from Thomas Meunier and Olivier Giroud allowed Lille to turn the tide.