Pierre Sage took Lens to new heights. His alternative left after six video games

It was beneath cowl of darkness that Yannick Cahuzac took his place within the Lens dugout on the Stade Louis II on Friday evening. The lights dimmed because the gamers made their entrance and Cahuzac, who had been named interim supervisor simply three days earlier, sat alone, leaning ahead on a seat that Dino Toppmöller would have occupied if not for a dramatic flip of occasions final week.

Cahuzac’s appointment, very similar to his entrance in Monaco, had a stealthy high quality, as if he had at all times been there and the switching of the lights was mere affirmation of his presence. Cahuzac left Lorient, the place he had been Olivier Pantaloni’s assistant, on the finish of final season to return to Lens, the place he had completed his taking part in profession earlier than working as Franck Haise’s assistant within the 2022–23 marketing campaign.

He was spoken about as a future No 1, however that was not the position he took in the summertime. Cahuzac continues to be an apprentice who has not but obtained his teaching {qualifications} so he returned to the membership as an assistant to Toppmöller. The German had the unenviable activity of succeeding Pierre Sage, who had swiftly departed to Crystal Palace after guiding Lens to a maiden Coupe de France triumph and a second-place end in Ligue 1 final season.

Lens weren’t anticipated to soar as excessive this season. Speaking in the summertime, the membership’s sporting director, Jean-Louis Leca, stated they have been “not a Champions League membership” and that an eighth-place end in Ligue 1 would signify success. Toppmöller’s first sport in cost introduced silverware as Lens beat PSG within the Trophée des Champions; his first Ligue 1 sport was a powerful 5-2 win over Auxerre; and his aspect took all three factors away to Slavia Prague of their first Champions League sport – not a nasty begin after a summer season of upheaval and the departures of a number of vital gamers.

Results have dipped in latest weeks however expectations have been being met. Hence the shock final week when it was introduced that the German had left the membership by mutual consent. Having taken cost of simply six video games, Toppmöller is Lens’ shortest-serving supervisor for the reason that second international stage struggle. His exit says extra concerning the membership than it does the person. Explaining the parting of how, the Lens CEO Benjamin Parrot revealed a divide, not essentially between Toppmöller and his squad, however moderately inside the employees itself.

“Even earlier than the Trophée des Champions, we felt, inside the employees, that there was a French group after which a extra global group,” stated Parrot. Toppmöller introduced two assistants with him. Lens tried to sack considered one of them, Nelson Morgado, however Toppmöller stayed loyal to his assistant and refused to simply accept his dismissal. He left and Cahuzac stepped up in his place.

Cahuzac was touted as Toppmöller’s successor earlier than he had even settled on the membership. That can’t be a wholesome setting for any new supervisor. Perhaps the writing was at all times on the wall for Toppmöller, particularly provided that Leca – Cahuzac’s shut buddy and former teammate at Bastia – is the membership’s sporting director. Leca is aware of the way it seems to be. “Yes, he’s my buddy, however inside these partitions he isn’t my buddy. Inside these partitions, I’m his line supervisor,” stated Leca.

To counsel that Cahuzac’s appointment is pure nepotism is unfair. Lorient have been one of the tactically fascinating groups in Ligue 1 final season, and whereas Pantaloni – who was nominated for the supervisor of the season award – earned many of the plaudits, Cahuzac performed a key position too. He additionally is aware of the membership, having performed for them for 3 seasons and labored beneath Haise as an assistant.

His first sport in cost, towards Monaco on Friday, didn’t start effectively. Monaco have been 1-0 up at half-time however they’d the ball within the Lens internet on three events, denied by the assistant referee’s flag. Cahuzac modified techniques on the interval, which helped, and Matthieu Udol headed in a deserved equaliser. Franjo Ivanovic and Thorgan Hazard had probabilities as Lens pushed for a winner. In the top, it was a Lens participant who scored however, sadly for Jonathan Gradit, it was into his personal internet.

So, Cahuzac’s tenure begins with a valiant 2-1 defeat. The 41-year-old was a pitbull of a participant however he was nearly inert in his dugout. He stood like a statue, along with his hand on his chin in a pensive pose that exuded a studious serenity. After the turbulent week Lens have had, the membership want a way of calm.

Talking factors

On the subject of messy break-ups, there was an sad reunion between Liam Rosenior and Strasbourg on Saturday. The pair had not met since Rosenior was hurried out the door to hitch sister membership Chelsea in January. There isn’t any love misplaced. The Englishman led Paris FC to a 2-1 win, persevering with his unbeaten run since returning to Ligue 1 this summer season. He celebrated the win in entrance of the travelling Strasbourg followers, a response, Rosenior stated, to insulting chants about his household from the away finish. An unsavoury confrontation between each units of gamers and employees ensued. Rosenior stated the chants had gone “too far” and that “celebrating like that was clearly a message.” His gamers additionally despatched a message, confirming that they’re within the combine for Champions League qualification.

PSG beat Marseille 2-1 in a Classique that encapsulated the golf equipment’ seasons to date; each are struggling. For PSG, the factors are no less than now flowing. Ferran Torres continues to show a high quality signing. He got here off the bench to attain the opening objective. Marquinhos redeemed himself for his personal objective on this fixture final season, which gave Marseille their first win over PSG on the Vélodrome in Ligue 1 in 14 years. That seems like a very long time in the past now. The considerations for Marseille solely deepen. There have been shiny moments, notably Angel Gomes’ equaliser, however Bruno Génésio’s aspect have now misplaced 4 of their first 5 league matches. “A Ligue 2 mission?” learn a banner from the house followers. They go into the global break within the relegation zone.

Despite the sport being briefly suspended after the house followers unfurled an insulting banner that focused fierce rivals Saint-Étienne, Lyon made a press release with a 4-0 win over Rennes. They rotated of their midweek Europa League win over Anderlecht, a transparent however disappointing signal of the place their priorities lie. It paid off, nevertheless. Rennes fielded a stronger aspect towards Sturm Graz however didn’t take the three factors, and their striker Esteban Lepaul was consequently not concerned from the beginning towards Lyon. A full-strength Lyon made quick work of Franck Haise’s aspect, who could battle to stability their European and league obligations. Rennes didn’t lay a glove on Lyon, whose personal followers posed the best menace.