The Gunners boss brought Garde to Highbury after taking on, and also the 49-year-old has gotten a glowing endorsement from former teammate Lee Dixon.
Arsene Wenger visited England with question marks about his pedigree to adopt over as Arsenal manager.
“Arsene Who?” screamed one headline. But before the Frenchman turn up to the London Colney training centre, there were a similar query in regards to a defender from France who has been signed while Wenger used to be working in Japan at Nagoya Grampus.
“Remi who?” was the phrase among the Arsenal players have been told of two new signings. One was Remi Garde, another Patrick Vieira.
Garde had indeed been told by Wenger which he would be used being a sweeper in the shape of his new team as he felt the defenders he ended up being inherit were too old. The likes of Tony Adams, Steve Bould, Martin Keown, Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn, however, had other ideas.
Wenger realised his apparently ageing defence still had much to present and Garde survived a peripheral figure. But he made a distinct impression around the likes of Dixon.
“I reckon he adapted quicker with all the language plus the English humour than any of one other guys who started in,” said Dixon. “And he was always a deep thinker. It was no real shock to me that they went into coaching.
“He would not lose his temper in a very match much like me or Nigel. But he cared a great deal even though he looked calm. His English is perfect. There could be no communication difficulties for him.”
Garde occured in high regard at Lyon. Before his elevation to first team coach, he re-vamped the highly-successful academy system for the club. One of the first graduates was Karim Benzema. One of the most recent was Anthony Martial who shifted to Monaco then Manchester United.
He a successful stint as manager at Olympique Lyon, winning the French Cup and consistently finishing full of Ligue 1. After a voluntary sabbatical, he or she is now he could be top of the Aston Villa wanted list to have success Tim Sherwood.
It might have to wait until following forthcoming international break as 49-year-old Garde attempts to bring highly-rated Lyon coach Bruno Genesio with him in their back-room staff.
Lyon are unwilling to let Genesio leave but Garde has not yet given up hope. And if Garde agrees for taking over at Villa Park, the Villa players can ignore any Clousseau-esque figure going to Bodymoor Heath.
“No language problem, none in any respect,” said Dixon. And as outlined by a Lyon source, the Villa players won't be over-indulged with free time. “No more free Thursdays,” is the place they put it in France.
“Remi has two faces,” I was told. “During the week, they are very calm and speaks to the players within a way they appreciate. He is honest and straight with these. The Lyon players respected him immensely.
“But on matchday, throughout the game, he changes. He is very demanding and animated – as being the Lyon players determined and as being the Villa players will find out if he goes there.”
And Dixon added: “Remi always a good football brain. We spent a great deal of time together because i was injured on the same time. We considered the game within the same lines. It is no real shock to me she has done well.”
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