Football Season Guide

Troyes must look to pick themselves up from the wreckage of a disastrous last season in Ligue 1, when they didn't win a game until January, by which time an immediate return to the second tier was already an inevitability. A year previously they had been Ligue 2 champions, but under Jean-Marc Furlan they had made a habit of doing well at this level only to struggle in the elite. Furlan departed before Christmas last season but Claude Robin and Mohamed Bradja were both promoted from within and neither made an impact. The club have now turned to Jean-Louis Garcia, a man who knows all about managing at this level. The former Angers SCO, RC Lens and Chateauroux coach has signed a three-year deal and will hope to lead another promotion charge on a restricted budget. Troyes have seen the American investor Gary Allen arrive on the scene with president Daniel Masoni eager to take some of the weight off his shoulders. They may have to wait for renewed success on the park, especially with young talents Jessy Pi and Corentin Jean having returned to Monaco at the end of their loan spells. Troyes have, however, moved to sign a series of players with experience at this level and one or two younger players with something to prove. Raphael Caceres will be hoping to be as prolific as during his first spell at the club.