Montreal: Olivier Renard is happy that Montreal was able to accommodate Djordji Mihajlovic

It was already expected for some time, but now CF Montreal confirmed yesterday Selling midfielder Djorji Mihajlovic At AZ Alkmaar, a first-class Dutch club.

Twenty-four hours later, Chief Sports Officer Olivier Renard, as well as technical director Wilfried Nancy and the main interested party, spoke to the media.

Although he had just completed “the most important deal in the club’s history” in financial terms, Renard, modest by nature, was not prepared to show off.

“I think he and his family have reason to celebrate,” he said up front. It was something he had wanted to do for several years. I’m glad the club helped him achieve what he wanted. But before he was there, he is here. We will do everything to finish the season with him in the best possible way. »

Renard confirmed that the interest in the talented 23-year-old midfielder is not only coming from the Netherlands. However, AZ Alkmaar provided a context in which Mihajlovic could fit in well, according to him.

“A lot of clubs are interested in different players from home. Yes, there were other clubs that wanted to take Djorgi. We could have had a few hundred thousand dollars with other styles of clubs. But that was not what I wanted to do. I wanted to work. “With him along with his representative. Besides, I know AZ Alkmaar club very well. I know their sports director very well. I thank them for their professionalism,” Renard said, adding that the club had made a trip to Montreal to meet their future player.

CFM’s sports director also noted that he was stubborn about when Mihajlovic should leave for Europe. There was no doubt that he would not finish the 2022 calendar on Montreal soil.

“The first idea of ​​the club was to take Djorje now, but for me it was a wrong choice. He had to stay, and Djorgi knew that. I say thank you to the club, who understood that staying here and getting as many minutes as possible could help them get to the World Cup.” more easily.”

Emotional day

Meanwhile, Mihajlovic revealed that Wednesday has proven to be an emotional day, and for more than one reason.

Yesterday it happened in two stages. I learned that my grandmother had passed away. It was a tough time. In the morning I was happy (confirming my transfer), but then I got the call from my dad who told me the bad news.

He continued, “Transfer is a good thing. As soon as I arrived with the club here, I mentioned that it was one of my dreams (to play in Europe). »

The American wanted to join an organization with a proven track record when it came to bringing a talented young player to fruition.

“(AZ Alkmaar) has a reputation for developing his players well, perhaps even at unexpected levels. I spoke with the coach and found that they have a very similar philosophy to the one we have here. I felt comfortable in this environment very quickly, and discussed my place in my group and the plan. set by the club for me.”

Growing up as head coach for Montreal before the start of the 2021 season, Nancy saw in Mihajlovic a very good project to develop. The two men almost maintained a close relationship.

Nancy laughed: “You cheated on my wife.” It’s a professional relationship, but it’s also one that we live in as a couple, to put it simply. Sometimes I had to be brutally honest with him and other times I had to be close to him. There were a lot of demands on the player, but there was also a lot of sympathy and benevolence towards the person. This is what I think should be done with him. Djurgy was an interesting project and I’m glad he tells me that maybe I’m not too bad as a coach. »

The Montreal team is currently second in the Eastern Conference with eight games remaining and is on track for the best season in MLS history.

It was also important that Mihajlovic stay in Montreal to finish what he and his colleagues started. Especially since the American only participated in one playoff and the result was not positive.

“I wanted to finish the season in MLS. That’s what I wanted and what I had to do. He said it was difficult to leave the team at this time of the season when we are doing well. I played one game in my career in the playoffs and we lost 4-0. My first goal is to win the Playoff and then win the MLS Cup. That’s why I’m happy to stay here, because we’re in a good position to do both of those things.”

Opportunity does well for Mihailovic, who will return to the Montreal squad for a game against Fire on Saturday. He will be able to spend time with his bereaved family.