Damien Perrinelle and Red Star aim to grow together | OneFootball

Damien Perrinelle has begun his first role as head coach at Red Star, with club and coach aligned on growing together.

According to L'Équipe, the centre-back, 42, remembered from spells at Créteil, Clermont, Boulogne and Istres as tall, discreet and hard-working, was not destined for the dugout.

His ambition took shape in 2014 when, nearing 30, he moved to the United States, leaving Clermont where he had been captain with a three-year deal available. After a trial at Kansas City he joined the New York Red Bulls and found a very different, trust-based culture, flourishing on and off the pitch.

Coaching instincts grew through work with Jesse Marsch, and meetings with Gérard Houllier and Thierry Henry. Via the Red Bull network, through Oliver Mintzlaff and Paul Mitchell, he joined Monaco, earned his BEPF and became an assistant, learning from Niko Kovac, Philippe Clement, Adi Hütter and Sébastien Pocognoli.

By the end of last season he felt ready to step up as a number one. It was not to be at Cercle Bruges, briefly considered, but at Red Star, a club from the Paris region that recalls his American experience. He is from Suresnes and came through at Racing.

A first talk with Grégory Dupont convinced him they shared a vision for the game and player development. He describes relations with Dupont, president Patrice Haddad and general manager Pauline Gamerre as smooth. He says it takes courage to back a young coach, he feels at home and hopes for a win-win.

Source: L'Équipe

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