Football Season Guide

It has been a long road back to the professional ranks for Le Mans, who were liquidated in 2012 but have bounced back under the guise of FC Le Mans. They won promotion to the second flight via a playoff against Gazelec Ajaccio last June, fighting back after going 2-0 down in the home leg. They got one back then scored twice late on in Corsica to secure their return. Their promotion bid was generated largely from their defence, which was the second best in the Championnat National last season as it conceded only on 29 occasions. By contrast, they scored only 38 goals in 34 matches, though similar statistics a year earlier did not stop Grenoble becoming a very solid force in the second flight in their return after a similar story. Le Mans have retained the services of all of their key players over the course of the summer, though chose to let go of left-back Ali Keita, who was their regular in that role last term. They have not signed a clear replacement, with Lens youngster Enzo Ebosse coming to the club. Yohann Thuram has arrived as an experienced goalkeeping option. In attack, meanwhile, last season’s top scorer, Vincent Crehin, has been supplemented by Bevic Moussiti-Oko (Le Havre) and Franck Julienne (SC Lyon). There is no obvious hierarchy there and no player who has proven themselves at this standard before. Le Mans have added to their midfield options, notably acquiring Harisson Manzala from Angers and Yann Boe-Kane from AC Ajaccio. The latter, especially, should prove a good addition to their squad. While Le Mans have had a solid pre-season, notably beating Paris FC 2-0, they have been working for much of it without the aid of an experienced fitness coach, with Richard Dezire only appointed to that role on July 18. As such, they may find themselves a little off the pace early in the season.