It’s a huge surprise looming for La Gaillette. Arriving this summer to take over from Pierre Sage, who left to join Crystal Palace in the Premier League, Dino Toppmöller is already on the verge of leaving RC Lens. The German technician only led seven official meetings with the Sang et Or before seeing his artesian adventure come to an end.
From an accounting standpoint, Toppmöller’s record remains difficult to qualify as a disaster, including a prestigious success against Paris Saint-Germain (1-0) during the Champions Trophy and a spectacular victory against Slavia Prague (2-3). But the results have never really masked the difficulties encountered by the 45-year-old technician. Between a particularly well-stocked infirmary and summer recruits still far from their best level, he has especially failed to install the playing principles he wanted.
The problem would have even gone well beyond the field. According to the latest information from Foot Mercato, the connection would quickly no longer have passed with several executives from the Lensois locker room. From the end of August, questions appeared around the tactical choices of the German technician and his management of men. A situation which would not have improved in recent weeks, while the absence of content and the disappointing results would have accentuated tensions within the group.
Lens is already preparing the sequel
Added to this are the complicated relations between the French staff and Nelson Morgado, Toppmöller’s deputy, recently revealed by Bild. In this context, the Lens management now seems ready to make a radical decision. Yannick Cahuzac was certainly expected to take charge of the first team in the long term, but it is difficult to imagine the club having signed Toppmöller and his staff for two seasons before thanking them only a few weeks later. Especially since this separation would have a significant cost for the Sang et Or, without forgetting the fines of 25,000 euros per match linked to Cahuzac’s lack of the required diploma.
RC Lens therefore finds itself facing a particularly delicate situation a few days before a trip to AS Monaco, second in Ligue 1 behind LOSC. A press conference with Dino Toppmöller was initially scheduled for this Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. at La Gaillette. But while his departure now seems to be taking shape, the club’s communication is eagerly awaited.
