Montreal Impact coach Frank Klopas has defended captain Patrice Bernier’s reduced role on the team amid criticism from fans, media and now the player’s wife.
Melisa Barile, Bernier’s wife, caused a stir during a 1-1 tie with the New York Red Bulls this week with a posting on Facebook accusing Klopas and the MLS club of showing disrespect to the veteran midfielder and Canadian international from Brossard, Que.
Bernier, 35, started on the bench but subbed in for Calum Mallace in the 77th minute. As always occurs when Bernier goes onto the pitch, there was a roar of approval from Saputo Stadium fans.
"If you aren’t starting tonight, Patrice Bernier, it is simply ridiculous, unacceptable, disrespectful, but most of all wrong on the part of your coach," Barile wrote.
She added it was time for Bernier to "go elsewhere, where you will be appreciated and will get treated fairly" and that the club lacks "respect and loyalty."
Bernier did not address the media Thursday and, as the summer transfer window expired, he was still with the team.
Radio station 98.5 Sports reported that the Impact recently came to a verbal agreement, as of yet unsigned, with Bernier on a contract extension for 2016, which would allow him to request a trade if he is unhappy.
The Bernier situation put a damper on the feel-good atmosphere that has reigned since the Impact signed Ivorian star Didier Drogba last week.
Klopas said that after finishing last in MLS in 2014, the team wanted new holding midfielders. Newcomers Marco Donadel and Nigel Reo-Coker as well as Mallace have seen most of the action at those two positions this season, while Bernier has made only three starts among his 13 appearances in 20 games.
"The plan was to improve the spine of the team, the back line, the midfield line," said Klopas. "I think we made improvements to the team."
He said it was normal that Bernier’s role would diminish with age and that he remains an important part of the team.
"He brings a lot of value on and off the field that can help the team," said Klopas. "I’ve never had a problem with Patrice.
"He’s a guy who wants to continue to play. I was definitely a guy who wanted him to be here. But as time goes on, your role has got to change. I think he still has a lot to offer but his role is different.
"When I made him captain I was very clear: ‘There was no guarantee you’re going to play. You’re the captain for a lot of reasons other than that."’
Some felt Bernier should have played against New York with Donadel sitting out a one game suspension, but Klopas opted to give Eric Alexander the start against his former team.
Bernier began his pro career with the Impact in 2000, left in 2003 for a decade in Europe, and returned when Montreal entered MLS in 2012. He was team MVP in the club’s expansion season and played in the MLS all-star game in 2013.
But his playing time has dropped sharply since Klopas took over in 2014.