Coach, how do you feel after getting back to training yesterday?
"Like the players, I'm happy, but also excited by what we can achieve this season. We are very ambitious and we have the time now to prepare for the new season and focus on the physical preparation of the team. We will work in two distinct phases. Firstly, this Wednesday in Austria we will work physically and tactically. We will benefit from some excellent installations for ten days of training, ideal conditions for the players. Then we will work on our play during our North American Tour, including, most notably, a huge match against Chelsea. I'm anticipating an excellent preseason."

What are Paris Saint-Germain's objectives for the 2012-13 season?
"We finished second last season, so we would like to do better this year and win the league. Like last year, it will be a very competitive championship. We will also be playing in the Champions League, and that is another big objective for the club, even though it will be very difficult to triumph in this competition!"

There's a new inclined running track at the Camp des Loges. Does that symbolically mean that Paris must raise its game in the coming weeks?
"It's a very useful tool, which allows the players to work on their power and explosiveness. The players know the objectives for this season: win and play well, have a good attitude, give a good image of the club, in all competitions. Results will be important, but the club's identity will be just as important. Certain countries showed great understanding and cohesion during the Euro and that will be one of our main aims this campaign. In the last three months of last season, we started to show a very good image of ourselves and we need to start this campaign the way we finished the last."

Where are we concerning transfers?
"Lavezzi has just signed and two or three other players may still join the squad. We have plenty of time, the mercato still has a long way to go. Certain players may also be leaving the club, but we haven't made any definitive decisions. Ideally, the squad will be reinforced as early as possible. We are looking for a player per sector, especially a good central defender. We are currently talking with certain players and things are looking positive. We need experienced players for the Champions League."

Ezequiel Lavezzi has just signed a four-year contract. What do you think of him?
"He's a great player, a very good attacker, very quick. He has a lot of experience and is signing with us from Serie A, a very competitive league. He will bring all his quality and his competitor's mentality to the squad. I'm very happy he is joining the squad, he is very motivated and I was very impressed with him when I spoke to him when he signed. He will be a major player for us this season."

What did you make of the injury to Thiago Motta during his three minutes in the Euro final with Italy?
"He suffered a very nasty injury, the hamstring and I think he'll be out of action for at least a month. It's a very annoying injury, but fortunately, not very serious."

Adrien Rabiot, a young 17-year-old midfielder has just signed a pro contract. Do you have world for us about him?
"He is very young, just 17 years old and he's come out of the youth academy. He has a lot of qualities and will join the professional squad this season. He is a pure left-footer, very skilful and, given his age, he is already a very good player."

What are your thoughts on Jérémy Ménez being called up to the FFF's disciplinary commission?
"I don't know what exactly happened there, but if he's been called to appear, it's for a reason. We want to convey a good image of the club so we'll be talking with Jérémy when he gets back so that he's only expressing his footballing talent on the field, like he did against Ukraine. I don't want arguing and bad behaviour in my squad. He is an excellent attacking player and should focus purely on his football. He has fans, young supporters and he should be careful about his image."

Speaking of the France team, are you interested in the national team position?
"Non! (smiles) At any rate, the future France coach has my entire support and perhaps Jallet will be the first name on his new squad list! (laughter)"