While Claude Puel was close to extending his contract on Monday evening, the situation changed on Tuesday. The club and the soon-to-be former coach have ended their collaboration. In the aftermath, the arrival of Swiss coach Lucien Favre was officially announced. It’s the start of a new cycle on the French Riviera.
It’s the end of a long chapter. It’s also the beginning of another. After four years of good and loyal service, with highs (4th place in 2012 and 2015) and lows (17th place in 2014), Claude Puel and OGC Nice are ending their shared history. He is, and will remain, the man who introduced 20 young players from the training academy to professional football and who impressed French football this season with his gameplay and results beyond expectations (4th place, directly qualifying for the group stage of the Europa League).
Twists and Turns
Until the very end, the contract extension or the end of collaboration was a saga. Specialized media will untangle the truth from the false and the false from the truth in the coming weeks. What is certain is that since Tuesday, May 24 at 4 p.m., Lucien Favre is the new coach of the Gym, and this for the next three seasons (3-year contract).
A Smart and Thoughtful Choice
Former coach of Hertha Berlin and Borussia Mönchengladbach (qualified for the Champions League), Lucien Favre reportedly turned down numerous clubs before committing to Nice. In Ligue 1, Lille, Marseille, and Lyon tried their luck, to no avail. According to some foreign media, he was on Bayern Munich’s shortlist to succeed Pep Guardiola. The Swiss coach was also well positioned to become the manager of Schalke 04, highlighting the excellent move by the club from the French Riviera. Known for trusting young players — having notably launched Marco Reus — and for producing attractive football, he should perfectly align with the red and black philosophy initiated by Claude Puel.
Attractiveness
Since Tuesday, positive opinions have been pouring in about the triple Bundesliga Coach of the Year (2009, 2011, and 2015). Nice continues to grow thanks to the combined efforts of the president, Jean-Pierre Rivère, and the general manager, Julien Fournier. With the arrival of the new training center in June 2017, the fourth-place finish, and attractive football, OGC Nice is structuring itself to become an increasingly attractive club.
Lucien Favre will be presented to the press this Wednesday at 5 p.m.
Find a summary of his first encounter with the French media on Thursday morning.
Photo credit: www.ogcnice.com
