Nice’s collection of Premier League cast-offs have a lot of work to do

Nice were pioneers, the first Ligue 1 club to enjoy major sporting and financial success by pivoting towards developing young talent before selling it on for a profit. Now, most French clubs are geared towards emulating that philosophy. Coach Lucien Favre was key to that success but, having been reappointed this summer, he has returned to a better funded, more ambitious project. So far, however, repeating his previous success is proving difficult.

A meandering summer for the club started with public infighting between former coach Christophe Galtier – who is now in charge at PSG – and long-time sporting director Julien Fournier. Galtier publicly bemoaned the club’s recruitment before a shock defeat to Nantes in the Coupe de France final, saying his team had been “over-performing and still had lots of missing parts”. “We’re trying to qualify for the Champions League, but we strengthened with an Angers substitute,” he added in reference to the club’s winter signing of inexperienced winger Billal Brahimi.

Fournier responded via an explosive interview in L’Équipe, heavily criticising Galtier’s performances and commitment, describing his comments as “an excuse”. The sporting director did not hold back, saying: “This team, as it is, could have had better results – with more attacking momentum and sometimes more courage. If Christophe had given his full measure, with his qualities, we would be delighted right now. You never know a person until you’ve worked with them.”

Galtier was fortunate that Luis Campos, who helped build his title-winning Lille team, arrived at PSG and was keen to appoint his old friend as coach, as Nice would have likely sacked him anyway. Fournier, meanwhile, was removed around the same time.

The debacle