In Bordeaux, the sports situation is not improving. While the Girondins are at risk of missing the promotion to the National for the second consecutive year, coach Bruno Irles was sacked following a defeat at home against Chauray (1-3), as reported by AFP Sunday by vice president Arnaud De Carli.
With the aim of leading the six-time French champion to League 3 – the new name for the future National championship – by the end of the season, two consecutive defeats against leader La Roche-sur-Yon (0-1) last weekend, and then against Chauray (1-3) this Saturday at the Atlantique Stadium, proved to be too much for Irles. With seven matches left in the championship, the Girondins, who are still in 2nd place, are six points behind La Roche Vendée, who still have a game in hand.
Rio Mavuba is the leading candidate to replace Irles. Irles, who has experience with Quevilly, Pau, and Troyes, arrived in July 2024 to help the Girondins who had been administratively relegated to N2 (4th division) after a financial crisis. Last season, the 50-year-old coach had already failed in the promotion mission set by club owner Gérard Lopez, with the Girondins finishing 4th in their group.
The name of former international midfielder Rio Mavuba, who came through the club’s ranks and currently coaches the U16s, is strongly linked to the coaching position. “It’s not 100% confirmed, but that’s what we intend to do,” commented Arnaud De Carli to AFP.
For the man with 154 appearances in Bordeaux’s colors between 2003 and 2007, the challenge will be significant. While direct promotion seems difficult, finishing as the best second team in the four groups of National 2 would give Bordeaux the opportunity to replace a potentially relegated club administratively during the offseason.
Mavuba’s first match on the Bordeaux bench could take place on Saturday, April 4, for an away game against Locminé (6:00 PM).
