Kylian Mbappe's radical choices revive Caen's hopes

Caen’s latest rebuild is giving the club a credible platform to pursue an immediate return to Ligue 2. Controlled by Kylian Mbappe, the Normandy side has moved back into the promotion picture after a difficult first season in the third tier, when it finished eighth following relegation in spring 2025.

Caen defeated Rouen 3-2 in Thursday’s derby, handing the previously unbeaten leaders their first loss. The victory leaves Caen second with 15 points from eight matches, two behind Rouen, after five wins and three defeats. The game drew 17,026 spectators, underlining the support that remains around the club despite its recent setbacks.

The changes have extended beyond the squad. Maxime d’Ornano left before Gaël Clichy took charge in December 2025, while recruitment director Reda Hammache and technical director Pascal Plancque departed in June. The team was then reshaped around players able to provide experience immediately at this level.

Dennis Appiah, 34, returned to his training club after a decade away and started in defence, scoring the opening goal against Rouen. Lionel Carole and Henri Saivet have also added experience. Those decisions contrast with the anger that followed the departure of Nicolas Seube and Caen’s relegation, but the early form now offers stronger evidence that the latest direction can work. Eight matches do not settle the season, yet Caen has finally established a meaningful base for its promotion campaign.