RC Lens have confirmed the arrival of Pierre Sage as their new coach.
The 46-year-old, free since his ousting from Olympique Lyonnais in January, has agreed a three-year contract with the Sang et Or. Sage succeeds Will Still, who was recently named Southampton manager, who finished eighth in Ligue 1 last season.
“Pierre Sage’s arrival marks the first milestone in the sporting project we hope to build over the coming years. I’m delighted to be starting this partnership with him. From the outset, we were won over by his vision of the game, his working methods and his ability to unite people around a clear and ambitious project,” said Jean-Louis Leca, the club’s sporting director.
“Pierre embodies an approach to football based on people-centred management, a desire to offer an attacking and pragmatic style of play, collective control of the ball and a genuine ability to pass on his knowledge. The qualities that define him are fully in keeping with the identity of Racing Club de Lens. I am convinced that he will be able to help the team grow while remaining faithful to the values that are the soul of our club.”
A bouncy first experience as number one
Backed by a wide range of managerial experience in the world of football, Sage had his first professional experience in 2018 as assistant to Karim Mokeddem at Lyon-La Duchère (National). He then moved on to Red Star (National), where he worked alongside Habib Beye during the 2022-23 season, before being appointed director of OL’s academy.
Named interim first-team coach after Fabio Grosso’s dismissal at the end of November 2023, Sage revived the team, then bottom of Ligue 1, and miraculously qualified them for the Europa League, as well as guiding them to the French Cup final (losing 2-1 to PSG).
After being extended until 2026 in the summer of 2024, he was finally sacked in January following a series of disappointing results.
