In complete disarray, RC Lens surprised everyone by choosing Didier Digard to try and salvage their season.

RC Lens announced on Friday evening the appointment of Didier Digard as head coach of their first team. In the midst of a sporting crisis, following a historic humiliation in the Champions League and two coaching changes in just a few months, the northern club has chosen to entrust its recovery to the former Le Havre manager. This appointment came as an unexpected turn of events, given that Pierre Sage and Walid Regragui were among the names mentioned as potential candidates to take over the Sang et Or (Blood and Gold).

A third coach to save a season that's turning into a nightmare

Racing Club de Lens's coaching saga continues. After Dino Toppmöller was sacked in September, followed by Yannick Cahuzac's dismissal this Thursday, Didier Digard has now taken the reins of the first team. The French coach has signed a two-year contract, tasked with the daunting responsibility of reviving a team in complete disarray.

The sporting situation is particularly worrying. Second in Ligue 1 Last season's winners of the Coupe de France, Lens now occupy eleventh place in the league. The Blood and Gold have suffered a particularly heavy defeat. historic humiliation against the Italian club Como (9-1) in the Champions League. A rout followed by another home defeat against Olympique de Marseille (1-2).

These results precipitated the dismissal of Yannick Cahuzac , whose time on the Lens bench lasted only 56 days. With six defeats in nine matches, the former captain failed to halt his team's slide. His successor inherits a squad struggling for results and a club that urgently needs to regain stability.

Pierre Sage and Walid Regragui were left out, and Didier Digard was chosen to everyone's surprise.

Didier Digard's appointment comes as a genuine surprise. In recent days, the return of Pierre Sage seemed the most likely candidate. The former Lens coach, who had led the club to second place in Ligue 1 and a French Cup victory , had just been dismissed by Crystal Palace. Discussions had taken place and a verbal agreement had even been announced.

The name of Walid Regragui, former coach of Morocco The possibility of a 2022 World Cup semi-finalist was also circulating. Habib Beye was among the other profiles considered. But the Lens management ultimately opted for Didier Digard, recently released by Le Havre, then bottom of the league.

In its press release, RC Lens explains that "a strong consensus has emerged around the candidacy of Didier Digard ." The club asserts that it was convinced by "his tactical expertise, his ability to develop players, his management skills," and his understanding of Lens' values.

The management also specifies that "this choice is that of a united club, faithful to its values ​​and fully focused on its sporting project".

From second place to humiliation against Como: Lens' brutal fall

Just a few months ago, Lens was enjoying a golden period. Under the guidance of Pierre Sage, the Sang et Or (Blood and Gold) had finished second in Ligue 1, secured their qualification for the Champions League and won the first Coupe de France in their history.

Pierre Sage's departure for Crystal Palace during the summer ushered in a period of turmoil. His successor, Dino Toppmöller, managed only six official matches before being dismissed amid internal disagreements. Yannick Cahuzac, a former player for the club and close to sporting director Jean-Louis Leca, was then brought in to take over the team.

But the results continued to deteriorate. The 9-1 defeat against Como was the most painful point of this crisis. After this humiliation, president Joseph Oughourlian demanded an immediate reaction, with a message to the locker room: "Never again."

The defeat against Marseille ultimately sealed Cahuzac's fate. After the match, the coach himself acknowledged his team's difficulties: "We're in trouble."

RC Lens, which aimed to confirm its national success on the European stage, now has to manage a crisis that affects both its results and the stability of its sporting management.

Didier Digard expected as early as Saturday, Toulouse as the first test

Aged 40, Didier Digard already has coaching experience in Ligue 1. A former midfielder who notably played for Paris Saint-Germain , Middlesbrough and OGC Nice, he began his career on a professional bench at Nice before joining Le Havre.

His passage into Normandy s’est achevé dans un contexte sportif difficile. Il arrive désormais à Lens avec une mission autrement exigeante : relancer une équipe qualifiée pour la Ligue des champions, mais incapable de retrouver la dynamique qui avait fait sa force la saison précédente.

Didier Digard is scheduled to lead his first training session this Saturday. He will also conduct a review of the coaching staff to determine if any adjustments are necessary.

His first official match is scheduled for November 21st, with the home game against Toulouse at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. Three days later, Lens travels to Leipzig for a Champions League match. On December 5th, Didier Digard will face his former club, Le Havre, this time as manager of the Sang et Or (Blood and Gold).