Le Mans finished 9th last season
The club gained its first historical promotion to Ligue 1 for the 2003-04 season, but was quickly relegated. However, they fought back and in 2005 won another promotion. Since then they have no problems with retaining their top flight place. After finishing 11th and 12th in 2006 and 2007, respectively, they finished 9th last season, the best result in club history. The team fought very well against famous French teams last season, finishing 9th and that did not pass unnoticed as big European clubs started taking interest in their players. The interest culminated this summer as the club sold their best players, and left the squad substantially weakened. Management's decision to sell so many players surprised everyone at the club, but it was the opportunity for a small club to cash in on their latest results. Next season will be much tougher for the club and all experts see them as main candidates for relegation.
The team is much weaker now
The club decided to cash in on the team that pleasantly surprised everyone in France, and sold some of their best players. Midfield playmaker and probably the best player of Le Mans, Romaric, left for Sevilla. Stephane Sessegnon, another midfielder went to Paris Saint Germain, while fans' favourite Daitsuke Matsui, joined Saint Etienne. The best scorer from last season Tulio de Mello signed for Palermo. Marko Baša, great central defender is at the exit door for a while, and it's a matter of time when he will leave the club. Big clubs are interested in Ivorian attacking midfielder Gervinho and it is possible that he may be sold. The club brought some players in but they are not the caliber of those that left the club. Anthony Le Tallec's contract has been bought from Liverpool. The club has also brought defensive midfielder Frédéric Thomas back to the club following a two-year stint at AJ Auxerre. Two players arrived from Norway, Fredrik Stromstad and profilic striker Thorstein Helstad, who played 27 games for Norway national team and scored 9 goals. The club promoted youth team coach Yves Bertucci, as he needs to build a new squad. It is clear that the team is much weaker than last season in all areas.
In
Thorstein Helstad (Brann)
Frederic Thomas (Auxerre)
Fredrik Stromstad (IK Start)
Anthony Le Tallec (Liverpool)
Out
Stephane Sessegnon (PSG)
Koffi N'dri Romaric (FC Séville)
Garcia (coach, Lille)
Daitsuke Matsui (Saint-Etienne)
Calvé (Nancy)
Tullio De Melo (Palermo)
Hassan Yebda (Benfica)
Sekou Baradji (Naval)
Martin Douillard (Clermont)
Clement Pinault (Clermont)
Guillaume Loriot (on loan at Clermont)
They are facing relegation
Next season will be very hard for Le Mans, as the squad is weakened by departures of key players. The coach Garcia also left, and Yves Bertucci was promoted from the position of youth team coach. This decision of the management proves that they plan to build the team on the long run, and if they get relegated this season, that won't be such a disaster. Maybe the only part of the team that is stronger than last season is the attack, as Helstad is very good player. But that won't make much difference as the new players in midfield simply can not replace Romaric, Sessegnon and Matsui, who were creating force of the team. With marko Baša set to leave, and maybe even Gervinho, I predict a very tough relegation battle for Le Mans, and I think they will end the season relegated to Ligue 2.
Our tip: Le MAns to get relegated
Odds
Bookmaker: Bet365
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