As coach of Monaco, Jean Tigana
once plotted the downfall of Manchester United in Europe.
On Sunday, the Frenchman attempts to do the same at national level with
Premiership newcomers Fulham.
Even defeat - an outcome Tigana has already prepared himself for - will
not interrupt his sleep or suffocate his style at Craven Cottage.
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Jean
Tigana prepares for Fulham's first Premiership encounter
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He said: 'In many ways, to lose away to Manchester
United would be a normal result. Arsenal did it last year, yet they finished
second in the League.'
A simple truth, yet one that simultaneously explains Tigana's success in
west London and the quiet confidence he will allow no-one to dent.
He added: 'I don't feel other people's pressure on me. My priority is what
happens on the pitch.
'Also, I've played and coached only at the top level for 26 years. I know
what pressure is. It's not a problem. I'll sleep well on Saturday night.
Don't worry about me.
'Manchester United are the best team in England, so Sunday is a big step
for us. It's good to play the best team away in the first game because we
need to learn quickly. My players will know after this game exactly what
steps they have to take.
'My priority is to stay in the Premiership because I have a lot of young
players. I don't know yet if they are capable of playing at this level.
'It's a big discovery for me and them. But I don't like thinking only of
finishing fourth from bottom. I would rather be aiming for the top 10.'
Having signed Holland goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and France Under 21 midfielder
Steed Malbranque, Tigana is still desperate to add to his squad before he
can seriously hope to emulate Monaco's performance in eliminating United
from the Champions League with a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in
1998. In that game, Scotland midfielder John Collins was used to stifle
David Beckham's supply line to his forwards.
Tigana refuses to rule out a similar tactic this weekend. He said: 'Collins
on Beckham? It's possible. We need to beat Manchester United on Sunday but
I don't have the same team as I had at Monaco. There I had a very strong
team.
'Yes, young players like David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry, but they were
used to playing at the top level. It was different.
'It wasn't a surprise for me in Manchester with Monaco because after the
first leg I told the players we were 50-50 to win.
'Sunday will be different. When I came to Fulham I changed my vision absolutely.
We are progressing together. 'We are playing against the best team in England
and, for me, in Europe. To beat them we need to keep the ball in their half.
'I don't want my team to stay back. My philosophy is to play. It's not possible
to change that way now. The season is a long road.'
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Source Evening Standard by Leo Spall