A month and a half later, opinions on the former coach of Melbourne City (which belongs, like the Trojan club, to the City football group) are overwhelmingly positive, especially among the main players concerned.

For many of them, the relationship with Bruno Irles was complicated.

On the tactical level, but also human.

On this second point, they quickly felt the change with Patrick Kisnorbo.

For example, before each practice, the technical staff and the players form a circle and hug each other.

A + calinotherapy + which contrasts with the management, sometimes qualified as + cold +, of its predecessor.

On the ground too, the locker room, for the most part, ensures to find pleasure with the former player who elbowed in the lower English divisions, in Leeds, Leicester or Ipswich in the years 2000-2010.

"We try to play football, even if we sometimes pay for it, judge captain Adil Rami. But at least the philosophy is there: play football, try things, fight for each other, win our duels, to be aggressive. What the coach wants above all is that the opponent does not win easily."

"intensity" and "pleasure" found

"We find a lot of pleasure," summed up goalkeeper Gauthier Gallon during the internship organized in early December at the Manchester City training center.

It was there, in the parent company, that the group really discovered the Kisnorbo method.

This can be summed up in one word: intensity.

"It's alive! The workouts don't last two hours, but it's intense," said midfielder Florian Tardieu in Manchester.

Troyes coach Patrick Kisnorbo gives instructions to his midfielder Xavier Chavalerin during the Ligue 1 match in Strasbourg, January 2, 2023 © SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP/Archives

"No matter the position, including the goalkeeper, I ask for intensity", resumes the one everyone calls +PK+ in Troyes.

And to add: "I don't personally know Pep Guardiola (Manchester City coach, showcase of the City football group), but I know that's what he's asking too."

If, during press conferences, Kisnorbo's communication is minimalist, it is quite different once he is on the bench, where he never sits.

Constantly on the backs of his players, whom he guides, replaces, encourages in English (he takes French lessons).

"Patrick is an iron fist in a velvet glove," they say internally.

In return, the players must at least respond with constant effort and fighting spirit.

For the moment, this is paying off in accounting terms since Estac – all the same eliminated from the Coupe de France on Sunday in Lille (2-0) but with a very reworked team – took four points out of six in the league, succeeding his first + clean sheet + of the season against Nantes (0-0) then his first victory since August 28 in Strasbourg (3-2).

The very demanding Troyes coach Patrick Kisnorbo during the reception of FC Nantes, December 28, 2022 © FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI / AFP / Archives

At La Meinau, by being caught from 0-2 to 2-2, Estac showed character to finally win against a direct competitor for maintenance.

Character, that's also the Kisnorbo touch.

And it will be necessary to hinder OM, who arrive in full confidence after winning their last four matches in the league.

© 2023 AFP