Assessment time: A sense of incompleteness for OGC Nice.

On paper, Nice had every reason to dream big. Despite an enticing transfer window, combined with the return of Lucien Favre to his former club, the path proved more complicated than expected for the Gym. Let’s focus on this 2022/2023 season full of surprises, but with a bitter taste. 

5th in Ligue 1 last year, OGC Nice was full of enthusiasm before starting the season. With the sale of Amin Gouiri, who departed for Rennes for 28 million euros, the Nice club secured finances while achieving the biggest sale in its history. Despite notable losses like Jordan Amavi or Justin Kluivert, the squad remained relatively balanced. But the Gym was not going to settle for this. Staying true to its recruitment policy, which oscillates between youth and experience, Nice became active in the transfer market. Thus, Gaëtan Laborde, Kasper Schmeichel, and even Sofiane Diop, the Monegasque prodigy (acquired for 22 million euros!), would reinforce the group of new coach Lucien Favre. 

After the hope…

Coming to replace Christophe Galtier, who left for an ambitious challenge in the capital, Lucien Favre made his great comeback. Indeed, the tactician spent two seasons at the Gym between 2016 and 2018 before moving to Borussia Dortmund. Known for his intelligence on the field, the Swiss coach left memorable memories for the Allianz Riviera supporters. The upcoming ambitions for this 2022/2023 season were clear: securing a European place and then giving themselves the right to believe in a podium finish and a Champions League qualification.  

And let’s be honest, it didn’t work out. Never did we find the flair, once so exuberant, of Favre during his first season at the Gym. Added to this is a discourse that no longer resonates in the Nice locker room, leading to what seemed like an inevitable breakup. Then sitting 11th in Ligue 1, with a gloomy style of play and one of the worst offenses in the championship, Lucien Favre was officially relieved of his duties on January 9, 2023. Nice’s qualification for the round of sixteen in the Europa Conference League would not change anything. But the Gym’s elimination in the Coupe de France against Le Puy-en-Velay, who are fighting relegation from National, would sound the death knell.

A gamble

Stuck in a deadlock, the club’s management decided to look internally. After spending five seasons with OGC Nice from 2010 to 2015, Didier Digard was appointed as the interim manager. Now transitioned, the former captain of the Gym had gradually made his mark by taking the reins of the reserve team before being promoted as Lucien Favre’s assistant in November 2022. Naturally, there were doubts about a younger and inexperienced coach’s ability to manage such a delicate situation. And it’s safe to say that the native of Gisors quickly silenced the skeptics. For his debut on the bench, the Gym triumphed 6-1 against Montpellier! 

We didn’t know it at that moment, but this team would become unbeatable. Over 14 matches (all competitions included), the Gym would not concede a single game, until falling to PSG on April 8th. More than an unbeaten streak, the Niçois made an impact several times by securing significant victories. In the league, primarily, where Digard’s squad managed to defeat powerhouses like Lens (0-1), Marseille (1-3), and even Monaco (0-3). Then, in the European Cup, where Nice tackled Sheriff Tiraspol to secure their ticket to the quarter-finals. Now, it’s no longer a question of caretaking for Didier Digard, who was entrusted with the responsibility to finish the season.

An uncertain future

A solid defense, a daring offense, and here’s Nice outpacing the competition. With a coach deeply connected to his players, who forged this group into a united entity, always willing to put in the effort and never reluctant to get the jersey wet, the Digard effect is astonishing. Sadly, the idyll would be less brilliant afterward. There is no doubt that PSG somewhat broke the strong momentum of the group. At the end of the season, Nice fluctuated between the good and the bad without actually standing out. Defeated in the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League by Basel, the Gym nevertheless concluded on a positive note, winning 3-1 against Lyon in their final match of the season.

Ultimately 9th in Ligue 1, it is clear that OGC Nice underperformed. The second half of the journey was admittedly quite enticing, but the challenge proved too steep to overcome. For the future, the club clearly faces reconstruction, and decisions will need to be made. It didn’t take long since Didier Digard was relieved of his duties on June 4th, the day after the Gym’s victory against Lyon. Despite a positive record, where the team ranked 4th in the league since the young coach took charge, the Nice’s elimination in the European Cup, just steps away from the final, leaves a sense of unfinished business.

One thing is certain, things promise to be lively at OGC Nice in the future. Joe Bryan, Nicolas Pépé, Ross Barkley, and Andy Delort have already packed their bags. An update on the Gym’s transfer window will be available soon in our columns. So don’t miss the news on Nice Premium!