The news came as a real blow. Barely three months after taking over from Pierre Sage as manager of RC Lens, Dino Toppmöller is reportedly on the verge of being sacked.
This decision by the club’s board inevitably raises questions, given that the German manager has only been in charge of six matches this season – one of which led to victory for Les Sang et Or in the Trophée des Champions and another to a stunning win in the Champions League.
And whilst things have not been perfect in recent weeks – particularly in terms of performances and results in Ligue 1 (Lens have won just one of their first four league matches) – few, from the outside at least, could have imagined the situation escalating to such an extent.
In this light, it comes as no surprise that sporting performance was not the primary reason for Toppmöller’s dismissal. Indeed, according to reports from Sky Sport Deutschland, the decision stemmed instead from the German coach’s loyalty to his assistant, Nelson Morgado, himself on the verge of being sacked by the Lens management.
Regarded internally as a disruptive figure, Morgado is said to have come under fire for the high standards he demanded of the coaching staff in terms of commitment, passion and energy. Toppmöller, who opposed his superiors’ decision, is said to have, for his part, given his colleague his unwavering support, thereby bringing about his own dismissal. Even though he was held in high regard by his superiors.
GFFN | Léo Aschi
Read the full article here