OGC Nice have confirmed that Claude Puel has left the club. Maurice Cohen, meanwhile, will continue as club president.
Puel replaced Franck Haise back in December with the club in crisis. He presided over a decline that saw Nice end the regular season in the relegation play-off spot. Their survival in the league was confirmed thanks to a win over AS Saint-Étienne (4-1), one of Puel’s former clubs.
However, he will not remain in his post. His contract expired at the end of the season and the club have confirmed that it will not be renewed. Olivier Pantaloni, who led FC Lorient to a midtable finish last season, is expected to replace him. His arrival could be confirmed later today.
Whilst INEOS still remain at the club, there is continued uncertainty surrounding the ownership situation. American investors pulled out of a deal last week. In the meantime, it has been confirmed that Cohen, who arrived alongside Jean-Pierre Rivere in December as co-president, will remain in his post. Rivere, meanwhile, will become president of the OGC Nice endowment fund.
