Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone has revealed the players met with David Moyes before their friendly win over Rotherham.
The 53-year-old Scot met the squad in the team hotel before the game at the New York Stadium, with Moyes flying out to France with the players on Sunday.
The squad will be based near Lake Geneva for a week of training and three friendly matches.
"We met the new manager at the hotel before at lunch, just a quick meet-up, hello and that was it," the Italian told the Sunderland Echo.
"He said go and carry on winning, that is the main thing - to keep winning and I'm glad we did it.
"We will have a lot more time in France, more time to spend all together and to get to know each other.
"From what I have heard he is a hard worker so that is all I need to know.
"For me, the best way is the hard work; with that you can do anything.
"It is a base to make our fans proud, when they can see the work, see you sweating.
"That is the best way and that is how we managed to get great results towards the end of last season."