Claude Puel, Antoine Kombouaré, Rudi Garcia and Christian Gourcuff are all enjoying positive starts at their new clubs
By Adam White and Eric Devin for Get French
Football News
Four Ligue 1 clubs have changed managers since the start of August and all four of their appointments speak volumes about the emphasis being placed on veteran managers in France. Christian Gourcuff arrived at Nantes on the eve of the season and has guided them to second place in the table; Claude Puel replaced Ghislain Printant at Saint-Étienne earlier this month; Antoine Kombouaré took over from Alain Casanova at Toulouse during the international break; and Rudi Garcia came in for Sylvinho at Lyon last week after the Brazilian went seven league games without a win.
Results this weekend – although small in sample size – suggest that Saint-Étienne, Toulouse and Lyon may be rewarded for their decision to follow Nantes’ lead and prioritise experience in a league so noted for its young talents.