CAEN: MBAPPÉ'S MOTHER HAS BANNED CELL PHONES AT THE TRAINING CENTER, "A FANTASTIC DECISION," SAYS MATHIEU BODMER

Stade Malherbe Caen's new director of football, Mathieu Bodmer, has been tasked with bringing his boyhood club back to Ligue 2 next season. To achieve this, he is relying on the work of the Mbappé family, owners of the Normandy club, and the insightful ideas of Fayza Lamari, the mother of the Real Madrid and French national team star.

A return to his roots for Mathieu Bodmer. Having come through the ranks at Stade Malherbe Caen, the former versatile player has returned to his boyhood club as director of football. After a tumultuous departure from Le Havre in Ligue 1, he has decided to take on a new challenge in Ligue 3 with SM Caen. While the objective is promotion to Ligue 2, Bodmer wants to take his time.

From the youth academy to the first team, he wants to work for the long term, drawn to the project presented to him by Ziad Hammoud, the president, and Fayza Lamari, Kylian Mbappé's mother and club owner. His desire to return to Caen was also motivated by another return: that of Nasser Larguet, his former coach at SMC, in the role of vice-president in charge of technical matters.

He has a message for Kylian Mbappé

"Their project with the young players interests me," he confided in an interview with L'Equipe on Sunday. Deeply involved in youth development, Mathieu Bodmer particularly praised everything being done for the youngest players. "You should see what's being put in place in terms of schooling, accommodation, nutrition, and personal support. Fayza (Lamari) banned cell phones at the training center; it's a fantastic decision. The young players talk and live together."

Regarding Kylian Mbappé, Mathieu Bodmer says he didn't meet him during his arrival in Caen. But he has a message for him: "My ultimate thrill is to tell Kylian: 'Listen, don't worry about us, we'll get this done, thanks for the initial investment. We'll try to hand the club over to you in the best possible shape.'" The team, coached by Gaël Clichy, will begin its Ligue 3 season on Friday at home against Valenciennes.