Etoile regroup for another shot at history

It has come as a surprise to some that the French side has fallen absolutely silent after the curtain came down on the domestic season two months ago.

But speaking to MediaCorp from France, Etoile chairman Johan Gouttefangeas has assured that all is well at the club.

"Quiet means we're busy, it doesn't mean we're dead," said Gouttefangeas, who has been preparing the club for another raid on local football.

Double-winning Etoile coach Patrick Vallee has left the club and while Gouttefangeas is looking at three possible candidates to replace Vallee, there has already been some movement on the playing roster.

Seven players have been re-signed while trials for players who will make up the rest of the squad will end tomorrow in France, with pre-season training to begin on Jan 15, possibly in Saudi Arabia.

The funding situation for Etoile this year is also looking up.

"We are pleased to announce that oil company Total have agreed to become one of our new sponsors... ," Gouttefangeas added. Total is a French multinational energy company with 96,000 employees across 130 countries, whose businesses run through the entire oil and gas chain.

Said Gouttefangeas: "Our aim in 2011 is to 'makan' all three trophies this time."

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