CF Montreal promote Olivier Renard to vice president & chief sporting officer

CF Montreal have promoted Olivier Renard to vice president and chief sporting officer in a new agreement for an 'indefinite period'.

He previously served the Canadian club as sporting director, but will now lead the technical team and report directly to club president Gabriel Gervais. Renard also remains responsible for recruiting, signing and supervising players, as well as managing the first team’s salary budget.

"The agreement with Olivier reflects a common desire to perpetuate the collaboration initiated in 2019 and puts him at the heart of the corporate structure that we are putting in place," CF Montréal owner Joey Saputo said in a release.

"I have always been convinced that he should stay with us and, more specifically, as an employee and an executive of the organization. Since joining us, Olivier has largely contributed to the development of the team. His vision, his leadership, his philosophy, his intelligence, and his flair for targeting new talent and developing players will take our club even further."

Renard first joined CF Montreal in September 2019, after standing as sporting director of Belgian clubs KV Mechelen and Standard de Liège. He also served on the executive board of Royal Antwerp FC as a sporting consultant.

"This new employment contract gives me the professional stability that I was looking for, for my family and myself," Renard said in a release. 

"We love Montreal and we feel good here. I fully support the organization's mission and project regarding its role within the community, in particular the promotion of Quebec’s soccer culture, and the development of local talent, from the youth to professional level."

During his time with the Canadian side, Renard has seen Wilfried Nancy  elevated to first-team manager and oversaw the acquisitions of several key figures like Djordje Mihailovic, Designated Player Victor Wanyama, Mason Toye and Kamal Miller. 

CF Montreal has seen success under Renard, lifting the Canadian Championship in 2021 and reaching the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals earlier this season. The team currently stands in third on the Eastern Conference standings with 23 points in 14 games.