“The fans are right to turn against the club”: ex-Standard player lashes out at his beloved club, 777 Partners and the hellish situation – Football News

Had this week Walfoot.be the opportunity to talk to Dimitri Lavalée, who is having a historic season with Sturm Graz in Austria.

During our conversation, the former Standard player also spoke about the bleak situation of his former club. “I still follow them when I can. I still know members of the staff, some of the players. I am very sad when I see the state of this club, what is said and how it is managed.”

“From what we read, 777 doesn’t have the money they say they have. It’s sad to see. A club like Standard has to be in the Play-Offs 1 every year. A small accident can happen, but that’s it .”

People from outside underestimate what Standard means to the supporters”

“People from outside underestimate what Standard means to the supporters. They want to see players who are committed from the first to the ninety-fifth minute. They are prepared to lose games, but the players absolutely have to fight.”

The will, the fighting spirit, the Standard DNA. Elements that have been missing for several seasons. “Players like Mpoku, Pocognoli, Jean-François Gillet, Réginal Goreux, it was they who conveyed the Standard mentality to the newcomers. They had been there for a long time, knew the club.”

“If you replace ten players every season, but no one conveys this spirit, then you won’t find it again. I don’t hear a single player taking the floor in the dressing room, that’s a problem. One can blame the coach, but It’s the players on the field that need to change.”

Dimitri Lavalée, symbol of Standard’s recent poor management

Players who exemplified the club’s values… such as Dimitri Lavalée, who left for Mainz on a free transfer at the end of his contract. A symbolic case of poor management by the former leadership. “In any management, the handling of certain matters can lead to confusion. Standard has defended itself as they wanted and I prefer not to talk about it, I have a lot of respect for the club and the supporters.”

“When I was little, I was a ball boy. I experienced a Standard-Arsenal, with a quick 2-0, the championship against Anderlecht. It was crazy atmospheres. I say it when I talk about it with my new teammates, who ask me about my past. I tell them that Standard has the best supporters in Belgium, it is inevitable.”

“Nevertheless, we also have to accept that the supporters sometimes turn against the club. Standard has to be in Europe every year and as long as the fans do not get a vision that goes in that direction, they are right to express their dissatisfaction. They have supported the club Until they save themselves, they would have done that in the play-downs, it makes sense for them to manifest now.”

A sale by 777 Partners, the best move for Standard’s future?

Dimitri Lavalée, like everyone else, does not see any positive signs. In fact, the centre-back agrees with the general opinion and says that under the supervision of 777 Partners there is no way out. So the best option is a sale, but again… to whom, and at what price?

“For a project to last, the foundations have to be solid. As 777 shows, they are not, while we thought they were. As I said, stability is missing. You can change some players during the transfer window, but when you replace 50% of the team with players on loan, without option or unaffordable, who leave eight months later… Players are short-lived, but the cycle starts again.”

“When I see how they run the club, I think a sale would be a good thing. Selling it to someone else, who has the Standard feeling and is willing to polish the image of the club. 777 was only there but in words, Standard needs a shareholder who will really be there.”