RC Lens: Yannick Cahuzac sacked after a string of poor results

Yannick Cahuzac's time as manager of RC Lens was short-lived. Appointed just two months ago to succeed Dino Toppmöller, the 41-year-old French coach has been dismissed, according to L'Équipe. Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Olympique de Marseille is believed to have precipitated his departure.

Lens' management has finally decided to end its collaboration with its coach after a series of poor performances. In the space of a few days, the Sang et Or (Blood and Gold) have experienced a particularly difficult period. First, they were beaten by Lille (0-1) on October 30th in the northern derby, then the club of Senegalese international Abdallah Sima (currently injured) suffered a heavy defeat in the Champions League against Como (1-9), before losing at home to Marseille (1-2).

A downward spiral that ultimately further weakened Cahuzac's position. After the defeat against Marseille, the manager summed up his team's situation by declaring: "We're sick." A situation that the club's management clearly deemed impossible to rectify under his leadership.

In eight matches played across all competitions, Toppmöller's former assistant has a record of three wins and five losses. His first steps in the league had nevertheless shown promising signs, with victories against Lyon (2-1), Troyes (3-1), and Paris FC (2-1). However, his team has struggled more in European competition, suffering two defeats against Sporting CP (0-2) and Club Brugge (0-3), before the debacle against Como.

According to L'Équipe, Cahuzac should also permanently leave the Artois club, which he joined last July as assistant to Dino Toppmöller.

To find his successor, Lens' management has already begun exploring several possibilities. The name of Pierre Sage is among those being considered. Having left RC Lens at the end of last season, the French coach is himself reportedly on his way out to Crystal Palace.

A possible return to Bollaert would constitute a new twist in a particularly turbulent season for the Artois club, now forced to quickly find a new coach to revive its momentum.