Football
8y

Le Havre coach Bob Bradley demands players give more in training

Former United States manager Bob Bradley says Le Havre's players will have to buy into his demanding work ethic if they are to have realistic hopes of being promoted to France's top flight.

Bradley, 57, left Norwegian side Stabaek to take over at the French Ligue 2 club in November but results did not go his way during his first month in charge.

He watched his team crash out of the Coupe de France against lower-league opposition before a 0-0 draw in his first home game in charge against mid-table Brest.

Le Havre then lost 3-1 at second-placed Nancy on Saturday, meaning they need a win at home to Evian on Tuesday night if they are to get their promotion push back on track.

Bradley's new team are now fifth in the table, six points off the promotion places.

"I believe in work," the ex-Egypt boss told L'Equipe. "For me, that's normal.

"It changes things for some people here.

"I remind them that you have to know what you want. It's like they're opening up a new book.

"If you want to play at another level, everything starts with training."

Bradley is learning French to help get his message across to his players and cites the likes of San Antonio Spurs basketball coach Gregg Popovich as an influence.

"I also had the chance, in 1994, every day to be able to attend the work of Arrigo Sacchi and [Carlo] Ancelotti, who was his assistant with Italy during the World Cup," Bradley said.

"I think also on Sir Alex Ferguson, who I saw working. Very informative.

"But a good coach has to love the game and find his own path."

Bradley said taking over a team mid-season presents challenges to find a balance between building a team for the long term but also fighting for points from the start.

"The games have been fast so having some fresh players is part of the decision and the midfield choices are limited with injuries," Bradley told the club website. "We try to find a team that with only a few days recovery has good energy and the right balance."

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