RC Lens is not really showing signs of ambition during this confectioners' truce. Not sure if it’s to his trainer’s taste…
RC Lens has been making great progress in recent years, with a rise to L1, qualification for the Champions League, a well-established coach in the person of Franck Haise, a sports director who made many good moves (Florent Ghisolfi). But in recent months, the RCL has come down from its clouds. The course in C1 ended quickly last season, as did the one in the Europa League. And the stability that has reigned in Artois since the arrival as president of Joseph Oughourlian has been undermined.
Weighed down by strange management
Internal tensions appeared, the organization chart was revised almost from top to bottom. Exit Ghisolfi, then Haise. On the field side, qualification for the Champions League could not prevent the departures of the team's two stars, Seko Fofana and Loïs Openda. Elye Wahi came to replace the Belgian, but he quickly left, loaned to OM. A failed investment, like the recruitment of Andy Diouf to replace Fofana. This new season began with the real false start of Kevin Danso, the arrival of Will Still on the bench, the long-term injury of rookie Martin Satriano and a premature elimination on the (small) European scene, against Panathinaikos. There was improvement at the end of the summer, a decent run, progress, revelations, in particular that of Abdukodir Khusanov, the return of Danso, and we said to ourselves that with one or two offensive reinforcements the RCL would have a good chance to play to resume its progress in the second half of the season. But a few days before the resumption of L1, the time is rather for concern. Brice Samba has packed his bags, heading to Rennes, a direct competitor. Khusanov and Danso could also leave, sacrificed to replenish the coffers. While Oughourlian's management had been praised until now, the RCL would therefore find itself penniless, and forced to sell its best elements, barely a year and a half after its qualification in C1. Exit Openda, Fofana and Samba, three of the heroes of 2022-23. We will see if Khusanov and/or Danso will follow. But it is clear that the Sang et Or are doing poorly in the middle of the season, and that it is difficult to imagine them following a nice trajectory to start the new year. During this period of Wishes, we wish good luck to Will Still, who we imagine is disappointed with the turn of events. »
Laurent HESS
