Lens sack coach Yannick Cahuzac after run of poor results

Lens have sacked coach Yannick Cahuzac, according to Agence France-Presse, citing a source close to the club, less than a week after the team lost 1-9 to Como in the Champions League, followed by a 1-2 defeat to Marseille in the French league. Lens finished as runners-up last season and are eleventh this term.

Cahuzac took charge in mid-September, succeeding Dino Toppmöller, after joining his coaching staff this summer. In nine matches under his leadership, Lens won three times and lost six, and have yet to earn points in the Champions League after defeats to Sporting, Club Brugge and Como; according to the source, the loss to Como was the biggest defeat suffered by a French club in the competition's history.

After the defeat to Marseille, Cahuzac said the team had not regained its balance, had shortcomings and lacked confidence, adding that the effects of Wednesday's loss were still being felt. Club president Joseph Oughourlian also described the defeat in front of the supporters as unacceptable and said he had asked for the phrase “This will never happen again” to be written in the dressing rooms.

Lens finished last season as runners-up to Paris Saint-Germain and began the current season by winning the French Super Cup under Pierre Sage. The team are currently seven points behind third-placed Paris FC and ten points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

Saudi international Saud Abdulhamid is in his second season with Lens.