The departure of Pierre Sage, in a somewhat tumultuous context, once again gives us some truths about modern football and the Lens context. Will RC Lens grow from this? The summer could be long for Artesian supporters.
Many projects in perspective for the leading trio of Racing. Photo CSO
A Racing that makes itself respected
The days follow each other and are not the same in Artois. The emotions are multiple. After the madness of the Coupe de France, there followed many questions about the people (players and staff) present at the resumption scheduled for July 9. The divorce is now complete between Pierre Sage and RC Lens. Of which act. But one thing remains: the institution. And the leading trio composed of Joseph Oughourlian, Benjamin Parrot and Jean-Louis Leca does not intend to deviate from this rule, a sort of leitmotif to which the various players in the club will have to adhere. Failing this, the exit path will be shown to them without care. Our governance did not wait for an agreement with another club (Crystal Palace?) to make this separation. She had little taste for the coach’s declarations where the indecision bordered on ridicule and bordered on disrespect towards the club which gave him (deserved) exposure again.
Some will say that it is modern football, that football “has changed”, as our national number 10 would say, accustomed to media outings whose now ex-Lensois coach has taken up the codes in recent days. It is true that it is difficult to have a romantic vision of football today, but the artesian values, which Pierre Sage (sic) praised and of which he seemed to be the proud incarnation until recently, must stand as obstacles to the gravediggers of this sport.
A new chapter to open after the departure of Pierre Sage. Photo CSO
The glass ceiling syndrome
Since its return to Ligue 1, the Racing Club de Lens has established itself as one of the most stable management models. Joseph Oughourlian is keen to keep the club in the elite by making reasoned choices in terms of investments and payroll. With the consequences that this entails. As the seasons go by, a reality becomes apparent: Lens seems to be coming up against a glass ceiling.
The recent departure of his coach to a mid-table English club, seemingly only a dream come true in the suburbs of south London, perfectly illustrates this situation. When the English salary offer allows income to be multiplied by two, three or more, the sporting aspect sometimes (often) takes a back seat. Lens is not only losing a technician; he bows to an economic power against which it is almost impossible to fight. Let’s hope that this doesn’t create a “domino effect” with the departure of other players, sometimes executives, from the squad. Racing is in a constant obligation to renew itself, to unearth new gems like what was achieved last summer with the arrivals of Mamadou Sangaré and Samson Baïdoo among others. Charcoal, again and again.
Rely on the nuggets of Gaillette, an economic necessity. Photo CSO
What face at the start?
The summer period gives pride of place to more or less well-founded rumors sometimes emanating from insiders seeking to create a buzz. Let’s breathe squarely, let’s not indulge in commenting on these latest ones. Let’s trust the management team. Among them, the arrival of the Cahuzac-Pantaloni duo would be favored by the forecasts. It would highlight the Corsican sector initiated by Jean-Louis Leca. The recent past has accustomed us to “coups” carried out in complete discretion. Let’s just hope that the appointment of the new coach will take place shortly in order to be able to calmly constitute the squad which will play the next Champions League and avoid the procrastination of the 2023-2024 off-season, which had handicapped the Lensois, forcing them to really start their season on Wednesday September 20, 2023, in Seville.
Today, the real challenge for the Racing Club de Lens is no longer to reach the summits, but to find the means to stay there despite the financial constraints mentioned. Who will then be the new face who will drive this dynamic at the head of the squad? Response (hoped) in a few days. Otherwise, the summer risks being long in Artois.
