Major changes at RC Lens. Having arrived last summer to stabilize the club's finances and oversee a transitional season, general manager Pierre Dreossi and sporting director Diego Lopez are already leaving the Sang et Or (Blood and Gold). This confirms the exclusive information published by Entrevue magazine on May 18th.
As reported in our columns, Pierre Dréossi's mission was very clear: to rectify Arnaud Pouille's financial errors and restore RC Lens's financial health. Twelve months later, thanks in particular to the record sales of Khusanov , Danso, and Frankowski , Racing is breathing easier.
Thus, Pierre Dreossi's mission no longer made sense. Therefore, the deputy general manager, Benjamin Parrot , who previously worked in the club's communications department, will replace him in an attempt to inject some new energy.
Diego Lopez, never really accepted
On the sporting management side, it's a different story. Diego Lopez arrived quietly last summer. And even though some agents describe his network as being "close to Jorge Mendes' men," he hasn't won anyone over. Neither internally, nor in the transfer market. Criticism of his methods has been rife for the past ten months.
Not quite the one who sealed the deal for Abudokir Khusanov's departure, nor quite the one who made the final transfer moves last winter, he was going to be judged on the next summer window. He won't have time for that.
Joseph Oughourlian would have " meditated and thought " these departures
The future choice of coach is a major factor. After Will Still 's departure , Diego Lopez was working on a name that has not yet been revealed.
Jean-Louis Leca, the sporting coordinator (appointed this Thursday to replace Diego Lopez), and Benjamin Parrot were not enthusiastic. President Joseph Oughourlian made the final decision, siding with one side over the other, and once again carried out a major overhaul. " What I have just done has been carefully considered and thought out ," he stated.
Joseph Oughourlian explained to L'Equipe that these departures were part of a broader strategic plan. He confirmed that Pierre Dréossi had accomplished difficult but essential work, notably by significantly reducing the club's wage bill.
“They’re dismissed, well, we’ve parted ways. But the two cases are different,” analyzes Joseph Oughourlian. Regarding Diego Lopez, he concedes “ differences of opinion on the club’s sporting policy ” and carefully manages his former employee’s departure, saying, “He’s a tireless worker who did a lot of great work .”
Joseph Oughourlian did not address the subject of the future of his sports advisor Miran Hira, who has been at the bedside of RC Lens for 12 months and is the main architect of the record-priced player sales and the good transfer deals of recent months.
A decisive summer for RC Lens
With these major changes, RC Lens is at a crossroads. With this two-speed Ligue 1, it will be a matter of getting on the right track at the start of the school year. If there are any mistakes during the next player selection process to strengthen the squad, it could quickly cause damage. This is the case for many mid-table Ligue 1 clubs.
