Dino Toppmöller sacked by Lens after poor start

Lens have dismissed Dino Toppmöller after only a few weeks in charge, ending his brief spell before Friday’s Ligue 1 trip to Monaco. The change comes as the club attempts to respond to a disappointing opening to the campaign.

Lens are tenth with four points after four matches. They finished as Paris Saint-Germain’s runners-up last season, making the early decline in results particularly significant. Toppmöller will therefore not lead the team for the opening match of the fifth round.

Yannick Cahuzac has emerged as a possible replacement, although he does not yet hold France’s professional football coaching qualification. He is currently preparing to take the examination required for the diploma.

Toppmöller’s departure is also linked to the removal of assistant coach Nelson Morgado. The German coach had worked with Morgado since 2017 and was unhappy about continuing without him. Morgado had pushed French members of Lens’ technical staff to show greater commitment and passion, an approach that created tension inside the club. Lens’ directors subsequently chose to part company with Toppmöller as well.