News Focus
- AJ Auxerre have sacked head coach Christophe Pélissier even though he kept the club in France’s top division
- The manager had one year remaining on his contract with the Burgundy-based side
- Club owner James Zhou thanked Pélissier for achieving promotion and maintaining Ligue 1 status
- Will Still is expected to take over as the new manager at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps
AJ Auxerre have ended their partnership with manager Christophe Pélissier. The decision comes even though the 58-year-old successfully guided the team to safety in France’s top division for a second consecutive campaign.
Pélissier still had twelve months remaining on his deal. However, club owner James Zhou decided to make a change. The Chinese businessman released a statement thanking the coach for his service during a difficult rebuilding phase.
“I want to offer my honest thanks to Christophe Pélissier and his team,” Zhou stated in the official club announcement. “They worked very hard. By bringing AJA back to the top level and keeping us there, they helped make the club stronger during a time of reconstruction.”
Club president Baptiste Malherbe also recognised Pélissier’s work across four seasons. The highlights include winning promotion to Ligue 1 in 2024.
According to French newspaper L’Equipe, Will Still will become the new boss. The Anglo-Belgian coach is currently without a club. Reports suggest he has already agreed terms with the Ligue 1 outfit.