With the new season set to get underway on Saturday, we take a look at the runners and riders in Ligue 1.
With the 2011/12 campaign set to get underway on Saturday, skysports.com takes a look at the runners and riders in Ligue 1
Since Lyon's domination of French football, which saw them land seven consecutive titles, there have been three different winners of Ligue 1 in as many years. Lille are the latest club to have taken the crown and they will be determined to remain on that lofty perch in 2011/12. They will, however, have their work cut out as the battle for supremacy in French football is set to be as competitive as ever. Fallen giants Paris St Germain will be hoping their Qatari investors can awake them from their slumber, while Marseille remain a force to be reckoned with. A number of other sides will feel that European qualification is a distinct possibility, and that should ensure that the race for a top-four finish goes down to the wire. At the opposite end of the table, it will be interesting to see how top flight debutants Dijon and Evian fare among the elite. It promises to be an intriguing campaign whatever happens and for a greater insight into what you can expect from all of the runners and riders, take a look through
skysports.com's in-depth guide to the new season.
AC Ajaccio
Manager: Olivier Pantaloni
Stadium: Stade Francois COTY
Star man: Guillermo Ochoa
League position in 2010/11: 2nd (L2)
Overview: The Corsican side which left Ligue 1 in 2006 were one of the surprises of 2011. With limited finances, ACA won promotion to Le Championnat. The only objective for coach Pantaloni will be salvation with a team claiming Corsican roots. To help them achieve their aim, the ACA officials have decided to hire experienced players. Ajaccio pulled off quite a coup by signing highly-rated Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa. Brazilian striker Ilan has also joined the club to lead an inexperienced squad.
AJ Auxerre
Manager: Laurent Fournier
Stadium: Stade de l'Abbé Deschamps
Star man: Cedric Hengbart
League position in 2010/11: 9th
Overview: After enjoying an impressive national campaign in 2009/2010, AJA endured an average season last year. The club had to fight hard for salvation and suffered throughout their UEFA Champions League campaign. Just before the end of last season, tension was mounting at an alarming rate behind the scenes. Former official Gerard Bourguoin became the new chairman and, as coach Jean Fernandez decided to join Nancy, he named the relatively inexperienced Laurent Fournier as the club's new manager. Following the departure of several key players, Auxerre have had to bounce back and players from the education centre will be pushed towards the front of the stage.
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
Manager: Francis Gillot
Stadium: Stade Chaban-Delmas
Star man: Jaroslav Plasil
League position in 2010/11: 7th
Overview: Since winning the national title in 2009, Les Girondins have endured a difficult time, without any European qualification. Forced to reduce their wage bill, Bordeaux hired a new coach after the failure of Jean Tigana. Having been able to secure Europa League qualification with a very young team at Sochaux, Francis Gillot was drafted in by Bordeaux to rebuild a competitive side.
Stade Brestois 29
Manager: Alex Dupont
Stadium: Stade Francis-Le Ble
Star man: Nolan Roux
League position in 2010/11: 16th
Overview: Despite making a great start to the last campaign, the Brittany side only achieved survival late in the term. SB 29 will again try to remain in the top flight this season. Striker Nolan Roux remains the undoubted star of the team and Brest officials have so far refused to sanction a transfer (having asked for €8million). The 23-year-old forward remains a key asset for Brest and, after the departure of playmaker Bruno Grougi, officials are keen to keep him at the club.
Stade Malherbe Caen Calvados
Manager: Franck Dumas
Stadium: Stade Malherbe
Star man: Benjamin Nivet
League position in 2010/11: 15th
Overview: After winning promotion to Le Championnat in the summer of 2010, the Normand side will try again to remain in L1. Club officials have placed a lot of importance on stability, even after losing starlet Youssef El-Arabi to Saudi Arabia. Experienced striker Pierre-Alain Frau, who was a substitute at Lille last season, has joined the club to help develop the young players that continue to graduate from a renowned education centre. Coach Franck Dumas has been at the club since 2005, despite suffering relegation into L2 a couple of years ago, offering further proof that the club are prepared to stand by those they trust.
Dijon FCO
Manager: Patrice Carteron
Stadium: Stade Gaston-Gerard
Star man: Abdoulaye Meite
League position in 2010/11: 3rd (L2)
Overview: Dijon were the last club to book their place in Le Championnat last term, for the very first time in their history. The only ambition for the club will be to remain among the French elite. With the loss of last season's star striker Sebastian Ribas, who has left for Genoa, the Bourgogne club have hired experienced players to help them achieve their aim. Abdoulaye Meite is one of them, coming back to France after several years in England. The Ivory Coast defender has been named captain and will be helped by striker Gregory Thil and veteran defender Cedric Varrault. Young coach Patrice Carteron (41-year-olds) will hope Dijon can avoid suffering a similar fate to last year's top flight debutants Arles-Avignon - who struggled throughout. Florent Malouda joined the club as a shareholder this summer and Freddy Drogba, brother of Didier, has joined the reserves.
Evian TG FC
Manager: Bernard Casoni
Stadium: Parc des Sports
Star man: Sidney Govou
League position in 2010/11: 1st (L2)
Overview: Evian Thonon-Gaillard were the biggest surprise package of last season. The team promoted from D3 in 2009/10 ended the season as champions of L2. The Alps team, which has wealthy investors, is now trying to build a group based around older players - Sidney Govou and Jerome Leroy, while Robert Pires was linked with the club some weeks ago. Even though the club from Haute-Savoie have lofty long-term ambitions, the only objective is to remain in L1 next season.
LOSC Lille
Manager: Rudi Garcia
Stadium: Stadium Lille Metropole
Star man: Eden Hazard
League position in 2010/11: 1st
Overview: Fifty-seven years after their last national title, Lille won an amazing double last spring. Les Dogues have steadily improved over recent years and are now the top team in France. However, as has often been the case in France, a successful team is forced to fend off interest in their key men from across Europe. Major asset Gervinho has left to join Arsenal, playmaker Yohan Cabaye to Newcastle, Adil Rami to Valencia, while starlet Eden Hazard could also be tempted by a lucrative move. One year before the delivery of a brand new stadium, LOSC will have to match big European expectation in the Champions League too. On a national level, it will be very difficult to better their result from last season and a position among the top three will be the minimum aim.
FC Lorient
Manager: Christian Gourcuff
Stadium: Stade du Moustoir
Star man: Jeremie Aliadiere
League position in 2010/11: 11th
Overview: Just like every other summer, Lorient have lost several key players. The departure of star attacking duo Morgan Amalfitano to Marseille and Kevin Gameiro to PSG will be very difficult to overcome. Coach Christian Gourcuff, well known for his good football and his ability to bring the best out of players cast aside elsewhere, notably signed Jeremie Aliadiere and Mathieu Coutadeur. With a young and ambitious chairman in Loic Fery, Les Merlus have growing ambition. Beyond survival, their aim will be a position in the top half of the L1 rankings.
Olympique Lyonnais
Manager: Remi Garde
Stadium: Stade Gerland
Star man: Lisandro Lopez
League position in 2010/11: 3rd
Overview: After a decade of unquestionable domination in France, Lyon are back to normal. During the last three seasons, coach Claude Puel failed to win a single trophy and club officials took the decision to sack him in June. Les Gones have been forced to greatly reduce their wage bill and promote players from their education centre. Remi Garde, former chairman of the education centre, has taken charge of the first team and should not be put under huge pressure. He will, however, be expected to secure European qualification.
Olympique de Marseille
Manager: Didier Deschamps
Stadium: Stade Velodrome
Star man: Jordan Ayew
League position in 2010/11: 2nd
Overview: After a double in 2009, l'OM reached second position and landed the League Cup last term. However, the club have not experienced a peaceful summer. Jean-Claude Dassier was sacked and Vincent Labrune has been named as the club's new chairman. Coach Didier Deschamps questioned his future at the club before finally agreeing an extension. Finally, several key players have questioned the club's ambition, notably Gaby Heinze, who left for Roma, and playmaker Lucho Gonzalez, who is keen to wrap up a late transfer. The ambition at Stade Velodrome remains the same: a good run on the European scene, Champions League qualification and a trophy.
Montpellier-Herault SC
Manager: Rene Girard
Stadium: La Mosson
Star man: Olivier Giroud
League position in 2010/11: 14th
Overview: Montpellier started last season in the Europa League, but endured a distinctly average campaign. The side from the South of France will not start the season with any real objectives. Club officials will hope striker Olivier Giroud can have a great run, allowing them to set clear targets. Controversial but talented defender Emir Spahic has finally left the club and he will be replaced by new signing Vitorino Hilton, who will also help young defenders educated at the club such as Abdelhamid El Kaoutari and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.
AS Nancy-Lorraine
Manager: Jean Fernandez
Stadium: Stade Marcel-Picot
Star man: Youssouf Hadji
League position in 2010/11: 13th
Overview: With the departure of coach Pablo Correa, a lot of things could change at Nancy. After nine seasons as coach, Correa has decided to turn the page. Experienced manager Jean Fernandez has decided to seize the challenge, and his objective is to rebuild the club long-term. Chairman Jacques Rousselot confirmed the overriding ambition for the club is to remain in the top flight. He said: "Salvation will be our main objective". The club have reduced their wage bill and star striker Youssouf Hadji is not certain to start the season at Nancy.
OGC Nice
Manager: Eric Roy
Stadium: Stade du Ray
Star man: Anthony Mounier
League position in 2010/11: 17th
Overview: Les Aiglons endured a very difficult 2010/11 campaign, avoiding relegation on the last day of Le Championnat. But for a few weeks now, Nice have had a new major shareholder, Jean-Pierre Rivere, and he has already invested €12 million and has been named new chairman. In two years, Gym will get a brand new stadium that will replace the decrepit Stade du Ray. The new supremo has admitted the club have growing ambition. Rivere said: "Aiming at salvation is essential. But finishing the season in 14th position would be nice but not satisfactory. I would like to reach between 8th and 12th position."
Paris Saint-Germain
Manager: Antoine Kombouare
Stadium: Parc des Princes
Star man: Jeremy Menez
League position in 2010/11: 4th
Overview: A lot of expectation has already been placed upon PSG, with the arrival of big investors from Qatar. The Parisian side have already signed a lot of reinforcements and could still sign big names (Javier Pastore is due to arrive on Friday for €42 million) before the end of August. The Qatar officials, who have huge ambition both on the national and European scene, have given full power to Leonardo after sacking chairman Robin Leproux, who did a lot to reduce the violent fan problem at Parc des Princes. The minimum expected from the new owners is Champions League qualification.
Stade Rennais FC
Manager: Frederic Antonetti
Stadium: Stade de la Route de Lorient
Star man: Yann M'vila
League position in 2010/11: 6th
Overview: After a very good first half of the season (first position after 12 games), Stade Rennais secured Europa League qualification with some difficulty. Coach Antonetti could hardly reinforce his team this summer, but was very happy to keep his two key players - French international midfielder Yann M'vila and captain Kader Mangane. The Brittany giants, who are always cautious, will aim at European qualification again this term.
St-Etienne
Manager: Christophe Galtier
Stadium: Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
Star man: Stephane Ruffier
League position in 2010/11: 10th
Overview: Les Verts ended last season in the middle of the rankings, and they have already lost several players from their starting XI - Dimitri Payet (PSG), Blaise Matuidi (PSG) and Emmanuel Riviere (Toulouse). The former giant of Le Championnat will now have to rebuild a competitive team. The club have signed several new and talented players - Stephane Ruffier, Jeremy Clément and Florent Sinama-Pongolle, while Bordeaux ace Wendel could also arrive. The ambition for ASSE will be the top half of the L1 rankings and maybe a European opportunity, which helped to shape the club's history in the past.
FC Sochaux-Montbeliard
Manager: Mecha Bazdarevic
Stadium: Stade Bonal
Star man: Marvin Martin
League position in 2010/11: 5th
Overview: With a very young team, Sochaux achieved Europa League qualification with a very attacking brand of football. But Les Lionceaux have lost coach Francis Gillot and striker Brown Ideye, who joined Dynamo Kiev. And last season's revelation, Marvin Martin, is still much in demand. Mecha Bazdarevic, a former player at Stade Bonal, has rejoined the club as coach and despite competing in European competition, FCSM will try to get survival wrapped up as soon as possible.
Toulouse FC
Manager: Alain Casanova
Stadium: Stadium Municipal
Star man: Moussa Sissoko
League position in 2010/11: 8th
Overview: Toulouse have already hired a lot of new players. As several key men left Stadium Municipal early in June (notably Mauro Cetto, Fode Mansare and Mathieu Valverde), TFC officials did not want to wait until the last few weeks of August to sign starlet striker Emmanuel Riviere, Turkish forward Umult Bulut, Tunisian defender Aymen Abdennour and Serbian defender Pavle Ninkov. With a lot of change in the team, Les Violets will first aim to remain within the top flight.
Valenciennes FC
Manager: Daniel Sanchez
Stadium: Stade du Hainaut
Star man: Gregory Pujol
League position in 2010/11: 12th
Overview: The side from the North of France should try to raise their ambition after enjoying a productive 2010/11 season, with a new stadium and a new coach. A team known to play good football has lost its influential coach from last season, as Philippe Montanier joined Real Sociedad immediately at the end of the campaign. They also lost key centre-back Milan Bisevac to PSG. New coach Daniel Sanchez will have to be competitive from the off, with club officials dreaming about a Europa League place. The new stadium, Stade du Hainaut, is supposed to give a boost to VA and their finances.
