Sabri Lamouchi is officially Cardiff City's new manager.
The Frenchman was unveiled at a press conference on Friday afternoon, with club legend Sol Bamba being confirmed as his assistant.
The pair - along with chairman Mehmet Dalman - answered questions on the club's uncertain position in the Championship, transfers and more at the Cardiff City Stadium today.
LIVE UPDATES: Sabri Lamouchi unveiled as new Bluebirds boss
Here's a full rundown on what was said in the media briefing.
Introduction
MD: Let me be the first to welcome Sabri to Cardiff City Football Club. I know you’ve been anxious to find out about the manager. I am really delighted to have Sabri and Sol on board, that brings continuity. That brings a new level of professionalism which the club deserves.
I also want to say thank you to the coaches who stepped up in the interim period. I am very grateful for that.
What are your thoughts having joined the club?
SL: I want to say thanks to the club and the board. It’s a big responsibility. When they called me and when I met Ken (Choo) and spoke with Mehmet, it was a really good discussion. Very quickly we find the way to finalise and work together. I know the situation of the club but I’m here because I know the history of the club.
It’s not an easy challenge but it’s an exciting challenge. Excited to work with the team and the staff. In just three days we have to find the right players for the team, to add to the team for it to be better.
At the same time, we have an away game at Luton. I’m here and really happy to be here and very passionate about working.
Are you confident you can lead the club away from relegation?
SL: I’m never confident and don’t want to be confident. I don’t want to talk about the club and the past. Where we are is not our position.
Of course, the club, the fans and the players want better. We need to start working all together.
The last victory was in November, we need to change something. My job will be to find as soon as possible, the best team, a new dynamic, more positivity and a new momentum.
This is with confidence. I am not confident. But I know when players play without confidence they are not playing to their level. They should go and give you more than that.
My job is to find the right structure of the team. Step by step we will try and get out of this situation.
Is it the hardest job you’ve taken?
SL: No way. This is my first day!
It is a massive club. I am here because of many reasons, the timing, the connection with the people here and the quality of the squad.
It’s not good enough probably for a lot of people, but it’s enough for me to be in a better position.
The club will work in the last few days of the window to finalise (transfers). I hope after a few weeks I can tell you with a good surprise I found the respect of players and the people around the club.
I am a manager and not a magician. We need confidence. The team needs the fans. We all need to be involved.
The support of our fans is really important.
In this situation, it’s not easy. But I am lucky to be here and we are lucky to do the job. Every training session, do your best. This will be my speech.
How important are transfers before Tuesday?
SL: I’m not looking to new players. I have enough experience to know that in a few days it’s very hard to find the right players. If we find it, it’s because the board will do a great job. I’m just looking at the players at my disposal right now.
Does your experience with Nottingham Forest give a big insight into what’s expected in the Championship?
SL: A few years ago, my first time in the UK was in Nottingham and I discovered this is a very tough league, now it’s a little bit different.
I have experience and that’s probably why the board has decided to bring me. We need to be strong, together and to try and find the best way to get results.
How did Sol come to be with you here?
SL: This is fate, to be with Sol in Cardiff. I call him after Nottingham Forest. I have known him for many years. He got me in trouble sometimes! But I like the man. And I asked him to work with me in the UK, Europe or all over the world.
For me, and him, we didn’t find or agree a challenge in Europe and this challenge is in Cardiff. For me the best man to come with me to this club is Sol. Because we planned to work together anyway.
Are you pleased to be back?
SB: I am very excited obviously. All of you guys know how much this club means to me and my family. To be back with the gaffer was written in the stars.
Now we will have to get down to work and move this club back to where it belongs. We will do it step by step.
It’s a good squad, but the table never lies. All we can guarantee you is hard work, commitment and we will do everything to get the club back to where it belongs.
SL: He is talking like a coach!
READ MORE: Cardiff City transfer news as three new signings to follow Lamouchi to Bluebirds
What does Sabri bring to the club?
SB: First of all I have to say how much I appreciate him as a person. The most important thing at a club is the human being behind it. The first time I met him 11 years ago, we clicked. He is aware tactically and technically. That is what this club needs at the minute.
Managing players, managing with the board as well. The connection between the club, board and fans is important.
The fans have to be on board. At the minute, let’s be honest, there is a distance between the club, fans and the board and hopefully we can do that.
What are your thoughts on the length of contract?
SL: It’s a good challenge. The most important is to get out of this bad situation. To think about the future long term. We need to think about the present and today. We will think step by step.
Things aren't great between fans and the hierarchy, what made you go for Sabri, and what about patching up the relationship between the club and fans?
MD: We went through a robust due diligence process in looking for a manager. We had about 30-odd applicants. Most of you can guess the names.
But there were two or three names that stuck out as quality. Obviously Sabri was one of them, we had meetings and discussions with those three. The moment we spoke on the telephone, we could communicate. We spoke very freely and very directly. We got the right person in terms of his knowledge.
I’m delighted we narrowed it down to one and got our man across the line.
You look at any manager and any business and ask if you have a connection with them. It was very obvious to me. I think he will be a good fit for us. I can’t wait for him to start.
Second question - the disconnect. I think too much is made of that. We accept there is to some degree. There are so many things happening in the club we can’t talk about. The Sala case for example. The embargo is linked directly to the legal side of things.
This fan base has been very patient, especially this year, and I understand their frustrations. I think we have a plan for on the football field.
And having Sol here will be great. That will be a good bridge, but get behind the manager and results will come.
Have you spoken to the owner?
SL: The reputation in football doesn’t work anyway! I haven’t spoken with him. I have met Ken and Mehmet and we have clicked immediately. I don’t think about reputation. It’s a massive club as I’ve said before. It’s a big challenge for me. It’s an exacting challenge for all of us.
Let’s start!
What do you make of the squad? How real is the relegation threat?
SL: It’s my first press conference, let me see the players, talk with them and see them in training. I know my ideas. I spoke with the board about the situation and about how we can change something about the bad moments and results.
It’s just step by step. I’m here and we have a lot of meetings today. It’s a busy day, but I think the next weeks and months will be really important.
What will a Lamouchi team look like?
SL: It’s not really important, my way to play. I need to understand where I am, with whom I am working and adapt myself to the players. I want to focus on one thing, the system, the rigour, the discipline. Only after hard work we will maybe have a positive result.
What attracted you to Cardiff?
SL: Timing! I was free. Nothing planned until next June. It’s a massive club with good connections. It’s not a good time. But I’m not sure if you’re in the play-offs you’re going to give me an interview and ask me to come!
I’m here because there’s been bad results and my goal is to change that.
How much does it hurt you to see results over the last two years?
SB: It wasn’t nice to see. But I like to think clubs go through periods all the time. It’s all about timing. When I came here it wasn’t the best time. It’s about changing it all together. It’s the right time for the gaffer to come in. He is a leader. That is what the squad is lacking at the minute. Lack of confidence as well.
The key is winning games. We speak about style of play or tactics, but it’s about winning games.
How do you get passion and hope among fans again?
SB: It’s all about how you show it on the pitch. If you are 100% committed then fans respond to it. If teams come here it is easy. We need to make sure it’s going to be a fortress. We need to bring that back.
The minimum we can do is give 100% and commitment.
What is the potential of the club?
SB: That’s why I’m here, because I believe in the potential of the club. I am absolutely excited.
It’s not an easy challenge, but an exciting challenge for all of us.
I am lucky to be here at this massive club. Of course, I will face problems.
We will, step by step, fix some things. Everything? I don’t know. But step by step.
Have you got transfer targets in mind?
SL: It’s difficult for me. I have just arrived. I know the club worked before on that. But we will discuss it.
Three days, the end of the transfer window. I am focused with my squad and the game in Luton.
The club are working for one or two good surprises. I don’t know. If some new players arrive I will be happy, if not, I will be happy as well.
I want to focus on my players and my team and the game on Tuesday.
Is there potential in this squad?
SL: Honestly, they have potential, but with more quality it can help the team, especially in this moment.
Just to give them confidence, but we will see what happens. The potential is here.
Have you spoken to any of the players yet?
SB: No I haven’t yet. I have had a lot of messages but it’s been a busy day. I’m sure after this I will.
There needs to be a healing process between the club and fans - what about inside the dressing room when it comes to making it a family?
SB: Every club I’ve played for and had success, the dressing room is massive. The gaffer is good on that.
When we were at the national team, we qualified for the World Cup, a few AFCONS, he is good at bringing people together. That’s what we need in here.
I believe in them massively. We are there for each other. That’s what we will try to create and the results will follow.
The social media reaction to your appointment has been positive, that must be great for you?
SB: That’s because of him (Sabri)! They are just happy to see the gaffer here. I am just here to help.
We all know I love the club. The people.
You all know what I’ve been through, Mehmet was there, Ken was there, Vincent was there as well and I can’t thank them enough for that.
For them to give me the chance to be here, it’s massive. I can only thank all of them.
To be back here to start my coaching journey at Cardiff, I couldn’t think of it being any better.
Nottingham Forest fans don’t have a bad word to say about you, why?
SL: It’s because I am like I am. I try to do my best with respect for the club and the people who are working with me. The players, the fans, that’s it.
Will you extend the contract in the future?
SL: I was not clear before!
Talking with the club, it’s easy. I am not here just to save the club. I am here to try to have a future together.
I cannot talk about the future if the job is not done.
Our goal, my goal, is to work together for a long time. But for that, it’s to do a great job right now until the end of the season. And to see Cardiff in the Championship next season, that’s it.
If you do that, you’ll be here next season?
SL: Absolutely!
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