In the darkness of Friday evening, Yannick Cahuzac quietly entered the Lens technical area at the Stade Louis II. As the lights faded for the players’ arrival, the interim coach appointed only three days earlier sat by himself, leaning forward in the seat that Dino Toppmöller would have occupied before the sudden developments of the previous week.
Cahuzac’s promotion felt as understated as his arrival in Monaco, almost as though he had already been in charge and only needed the spotlight to confirm it. He departed Lorient, where he had assisted Olivier Pantaloni, at the end of last season and returned to Lens. It was the club where he ended his playing career and later served on Franck Haise’s staff during the 2022–23 season.
Although Cahuzac had been mentioned as a potential head coach, that was not the position he accepted in the summer. Still working toward his coaching qualifications, he rejoined Lens as Toppmöller’s assistant. The German faced the difficult challenge of replacing Pierre Sage, who abruptly moved to Crystal Palace after leading Lens to their first Coupe de France title and second place in Ligue 1 last season.
Few expected Lens to reach the same heights this season. During the summer, sporting director Jean-Louis Leca said the team should not be considered a Champions League club and suggested that finishing eighth in Ligue 1 would count as a positive campaign. Toppmöller nevertheless began impressively: Lens defeated PSG in the Trophée des Champions, opened their league season with a convincing 5-2 victory over Auxerre and won away at Slavia Prague in their first Champions League fixture. It was a strong response to a disruptive summer in which several influential players left.
Performances had declined more recently, but the team was still broadly matching expectations. That made last week’s announcement that Toppmöller had departed by mutual agreement particularly surprising. After overseeing only six matches, he became Lens’s shortest-serving manager since the second world war. His departure appears to reveal more about internal problems at the club than about his own ability. Chief executive Benjamin Parrot explained that the main division was not necessarily between the coach and the squad, but among members of the coaching team.
Parrot said the staff appeared split into a French contingent and a more international group even before the Trophée des Champions. Toppmöller had arrived with two assistants, and Lens later attempted to dismiss one of them, Nelson Morgado. Toppmöller refused to abandon his colleague, chose not to accept the decision and subsequently left, allowing Cahuzac to take over.
Cahuzac had been discussed as a possible replacement for Toppmöller before the German had even become fully established. Such circumstances were unlikely to create a stable setting for a new coach. Toppmöller may therefore have been vulnerable from the outset, particularly because Leca is both Cahuzac’s close friend and his former Bastia teammate. The sporting director acknowledged how the situation might appear, while insisting that their personal relationship does not affect the workplace hierarchy and that he remains Cahuzac’s superior at the club.
It would still be unjust to describe Cahuzac’s promotion as nothing more than favouritism. Lorient were among Ligue 1’s most tactically compelling sides last season. Pantaloni, who received a nomination for the manager-of-the-season prize, attracted much of the recognition, but Cahuzac also made an important contribution. His familiarity with Lens is another advantage, given his three seasons there as a player and his previous work as Haise’s assistant.
His managerial debut against Monaco started poorly. The home team led 1-0 at the interval and had put the ball into the Lens goal three times, only for each effort to be ruled out by the assistant referee. Cahuzac adjusted his approach at half-time, and the changes improved Lens. Matthieu Udol headed home a deserved equaliser, while Franjo Ivanovic and Thorgan Hazard both had opportunities as Lens searched for a winning goal. A Lens player eventually found the net, but Jonathan Gradit was unfortunate to score at the wrong end.
Cahuzac’s spell in charge therefore opened with a spirited 2-1 loss. Known as a fiercely combative player, the 41-year-old showed far less emotion on the touchline. He remained almost motionless, resting a hand on his chin with a thoughtful expression that conveyed calm and concentration. After such a chaotic week, that composure may be exactly what Lens require.
Talking points
Another difficult separation produced a tense reunion between Liam Rosenior and Strasbourg on Saturday. It was their first meeting since his rapid January departure for sister club Chelsea, and the relationship remains strained. Now in charge of Paris FC, Rosenior secured a 2-1 victory and maintained his unbeaten record since returning to Ligue 1 this summer. He celebrated in front of Strasbourg’s travelling supporters, later explaining that he was responding to offensive chants directed at his family. Players and staff from both teams then became involved in an unpleasant confrontation. Rosenior said the abuse had crossed a line and admitted that his celebration was intended to make a clear point. His team delivered its own statement by showing that Paris FC can challenge for Champions League qualification.
PSG earned a 2-1 victory over Marseille in a Classique that reflected the uneven starts both clubs have made. Although PSG are still short of their best, they are beginning to collect points. Ferran Torres again demonstrated his value by coming off the bench to score the opening goal. Marquinhos also made amends for the own goal he scored in the same fixture last season, when Marseille recorded their first Ligue 1 win over PSG at the Vélodrome in 14 years. Marseille’s difficulties, meanwhile, continue to grow. Angel Gomes produced a notable equaliser, but Bruno Génésio’s team have now lost four of their opening five league games. A banner displayed by the home support questioned whether the club was pursuing a Ligue 2-level project, and Marseille enter the international break in the relegation places.
Lyon delivered an emphatic message by defeating Rennes 4-0, although play was briefly halted after home supporters displayed an offensive banner aimed at rivals Saint-Étienne. Lyon had rested players during their midweek Europa League win against Anderlecht, making their domestic priorities clear, and the decision was rewarded. Rennes selected a stronger lineup against Sturm Graz but failed to win, while striker Esteban Lepaul was then left out of the starting side against Lyon. With their leading players restored, Lyon comfortably overcame Franck Haise’s team. Rennes may find it difficult to manage the demands of European competition alongside their league campaign, having offered almost no attacking threat in this match.
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