Chief sporting officer Olivier Renard leaves CF Montréal
The departure was by “mutual agreement,” the club says.
Author of the article:
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
Article content
CF Montréal is parting ways with vice-president and chief sporting officer Olivier Renard by “mutual agreement,” the Major League Soccer club announced Thursday.
Renard joined Montreal as sporting director in 2019 after five years in management with various teams in his native Belgium.
Under his stewardship, Montreal posted its finest MLS regular season in 2022 with a 20-9-5 record, good for second place in the Eastern Conference.
But Montreal has also been beset by high-profile defections from players and coaches during his time with the club, notably the departure of coach of the year Wilfried Nancy to Columbus after the 2022 season.
“To the entire club, the players, the staff, the fans and the Saputo family, I thank you for all these years in Montreal,” Renard said. “I am proud to have played a part in the growth of CF Montréal, to have orchestrated a sporting identity for the club, and l will leave with lasting memories.”
Renard’s departure comes amid rumours that star midfielder Mathieu Choinière has been unable to negotiate a new contract with the club and has requested a trade.
La Presse reported that a disagreement between Renard and his superiors over Choinière was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Radio-Canada said Renard had been instructed to offer only US$350,000 to Choinière, who was asking for around $600,000 — an amount Renard was prepared to give him.
Online outlet The Athletic reported last week that Choinière had requested to be traded.
Montreal is in 11th place in the Eastern Conference with a 3-4-3 record and has one win in its last seven MLS games.
The team says president and chief executive officer Gabriel Gervais will take over Renard’s role interim basis. Gervais is scheduled to address the media on Friday.
“I would like to thank Olivier for his dedication, passion and work with the organization since 2019,” Gervais said in a statement. “He played an important role in developing and implementing the Club’s sporting philosophy. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours.”
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.