MILFORD, Ohio – Cameras and reporters swarmed around Yoann Damet in the Mercy Health Training Center parking lot, and practically forced Damet into a patch of nearby shrubs.

Lodged between the greenery and probing questions, Damet, 29, set off Wednesday morning on his managerial career and on a quest to correct the cultural issues said to have been the downfall of now-former head coach Alan Koch.

Players interviewed in the parking lot seemed unsure about questions regarding culture. Fanendo Adi and Kendall Waston seemed to suggest the club's culture wasn't an issue, but it was a primary talking point Tuesday during team President and General Manager Jeff Berding's address and news conference regarding Koch's firing.

Damet, who said he hadn't considered taking a run at being the club's permanent head coach, spoke generally on how he hoped to change the culture.

"The idea is to focus on the players. It's not about me. It's more about what we can do to find a solution and improve on the field," Damet said. "Our focus is on the players... Based on the situation of the club, it's a changing time. It's just going to be different. It's not about me. I'm not assessing the situation based on me. I'm just focusing on the players. I want to make sure they are successful. I want to make sure they are happy and we find solutions together. That's the main focus."

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Damet is known as a student of the game who was classroom-educated on its intricacies.

Even his casual conversations about tactics and formations project a bookish approach to soccer.

Asked if he expects to make noticeable changes to Cincinnati's style of play, Damet played it close to the vest, saying, "We're probably going to see something different."

Koch's absence loomed over the proceedings of the day, although he was scarcely mentioned except by Waston and Adi. They both lamented the firing and acknowledged such things to be an unfortunate reality of their trade.

"This happens. Coaches go. Players go as well and nobody likes that," Waston said. "The reality is what we have now and what we want this weekend is (to have) a wakeup call and try to win three points because all the fans deserve it."

Wednesday also signaled a change in FC Cincinnati's cultural approach to interacting with media and fans.

After having its training sessions open to media members throughout its existence, Wednesday marked the first day of restricted practice access in the club's history.

Media in attendance Wednesday were limited to surveying the team's practice for just 15 minutes, which consisted mostly of stretching and minimal ball work.

Other MLS clubs have similar policies, but the immediate implementation of the policy, even if it only lasted one day, was a clear pivot away from Koch's outgoing culture.

Damet's poised delivery on Wednesday morning gave the appearance of confidence at the helm for FC Cincinnati, as did the organized and deliberate warmup exercises media were permitted to view.

All seemed well and normal even though Koch's memory lingered as the team prepared for its first match without its former coach since October 2016.

"It's tough to talk about it. Alan is the one that brought all of us together," Adi said. "Someone that we respect a lot as a coach. A nice man and communicator, so that's just what it is... Today, we have a new hierarchy and as players, as professionals, we just have to go along with the new staff and implement what they want us to do and try to change the course of our season."