"After ending his playing career with an ill-fated spell at Bordeaux, Koscielny initially rejoined Lorient as a youth coach. He became part of the upper management when Les Merlus [the Hakes] were relegated in 2024. The challenge was to return to Ligue 1 the next season for the club's centenary year. The club would go straight back up as champions."
"As sporting director, I get to have a relationship with everyone at the club. I really have an overall view of things, whether it's finances, marketing, or what happens on the pitch. Koscielny often uses the word perennite, sustainability, when talking about his plans for the club: It's good to be ambitious, it's even better to be grounded, the former France defender says. He cites the cautious approach of Lorient's neighbours Brest, whose unlikely title push two years ago led to a Champions League campaign."
Laurent Koscielny returned to Lorient in Brittany as sporting director after leaving for Arsenal in 2010 and ending his playing career following an ill-fated spell at Bordeaux. He rejoined the club as a youth coach and moved into upper management when Les Merlus were relegated in 2024. The immediate objective became promotion back to Ligue 1 for the club's centenary season, achieved as champions the following campaign. As sporting director he oversees finances, marketing and sporting matters, prioritizes sustainability and grounded ambition, and plans to develop young players while navigating broadcasting-rights-driven financial pressure and new investor ties.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]