Lille finished 7th
Since their return to Ligue 1 in 2000, the team recorded some excellent results, finishing second and third in the league, and they even played three times in the Champions League. After selling two best players to Lyon, Keita and Bodmer, before the start of last term, the club was expected to have a difficult season, but they managed to play some good football and finished 7th in the league. They were eliminated in the quarter finals of the Cup by Bordeaux. One man was instrumental in the recent rise, and that is coach Claude Puel, who after six years at the helm decided to leave for Lyon. New coach will be Rudi Gracia, who also enjoyed success with his club Le Mans. The team had to cope with a lot of departures this season and with Puel also gone, the team is in a state of transition. Midfield trio Cabaye, Mavuba and Bastos was instrumental last season, and they are expected to be leaders of the team.
Claude Puel left the club after six years
Despite some important players left the club, the biggest loss for the team is departure of coach Claude Puel. He was the main figure behind Lille’s great success, both domestically and in Europe. After six years at the helm, he decided for a new challenge and took over at Lyon. Jean Il Makoun, Stephen Lichtsteiner, Tony Sylva and Souleymane Youla all left the club. Aside from Mavuba who permanently joined the club, and experienced Nice midfielder Balmont, new coach is not expected to rely heavily on the players he brought in. Kevin Mirallas is expected to leave the club, and injury to Pierre-Alain Frau has limited the options in attack. Midfield players are expected to make up for the lack of attacking power.
In
Rio Mavuba (Villareal)
Rudi Garcia (coach, Le Mans)
Florent Balmont (Nice)
Cedric Baseya (Southampton)
Emil Lyng (Aarhus)
Larsen Toure (returned from loan at Grenoble)
Out
Claude Puel (coach, Lyon)
Jean Il Makoun (Lyon)
Stephen Lichtsteiner (Lazio)
Luis Yanes (on loan at Deportiva Junior)
Patrick Kluivert (free)
Souleymane Youla (on loan at Eskisehirspor)
Kamulete Makiese (on loan at Charleroi)
Jeremy Taravel (Troyes)
New era for Lille
After six very successful years at the helm, Claude Puel left the club, and left a big gap to fill. Several key players also left, and new coach Rudi Garcia faces a big task of building a new team. This is something that needs time, and probably the club will not be solely focusing on the results. Building a new team, and ensuring promising future will be primary task of the new coach. Capturing Mavuba on permanent basis was very important as now the midfield area is very strong, and the new captain showed last season that he is nearing the form that had brought him national team call ups few years ago. Kevin Mirallas looks set to leave, and Frau’s injury has created some problems in attack, but defense and especially midfield are strong enough to ensure mid table finish.
CL
CLQ
UEFA
RELEG