• Will Still set to become new AJ Auxerre head coach
• Christophe Pélissier faces dismissal despite keeping club in top flight
• Club owner James Zhou overrules president on coaching change
• Still unemployed since Southampton sacking last autumn
• Auxerre plan major player sales to raise €30 million

The Anglo-Belgian coach Will Still is ready to return to French football’s top division. The 31-year-old will take charge at AJ Auxerre, filling the space left by Christophe Pélissier’s expected departure.

Still has worked in Ligue 1 before with Stade de Reims and Racing Club de Lens. The young manager has been without a job since Southampton sacked him last autumn.

Pélissier’s exit surprises many fans. The Frenchman kept Auxerre in Ligue 1 for a second straight season. However, club owner James Zhou wants a change, even though club president Baptiste Malherbe supported Pélissier.

The new manager will face a busy summer. Sporting Director David Wantier, who did not agree with Pélissier, will lead transfer activity. The club plans to raise over €30 million by selling top players Lassine Sinayoko and Kévin Danois.

• 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.

• AJ Auxerre have dismissed manager Christophe Pélissier
• The coach saved the club from relegation with final-day wins over Nice and Lille
• He reportedly clashed with Sporting Director David Wantier
• Former Southampton and RC Lens boss Will Still is the favourite to take over

AJ Auxerre have sacked head coach Christophe Pélissier. This news comes from L’Equipe. The decision comes even though he kept the club in Ligue 1 on a small budget.

Pélissier led the team to safety with back-to-back victories against Nice and Lille. These wins ensured Auxerre avoided the drop to Ligue 2. The French coach still had a contract until 2027. However, the club decided to end his time there early.

Reports suggest Pélissier fell out with Sporting Director David Wantier. Club owner James Zhou chose to support the director instead of the manager. Interestingly, Wantier’s own position at the club may also be under threat.

The search for a new manager is already underway. Will Still is the leading candidate for the role. The Belgian coach has previously managed RC Lens and Southampton.

• Toulouse FC have started hunting for a new manager after confirming Carles Martínez Novell will leave his post.
• Christophe Pélissier, the current AJ Auxerre boss, has emerged as a credible candidate for the role.
• The club may also promote assistant Jordan Galtier to the top job, following the same path as the outgoing manager.

French top-flight side Toulouse FC have begun their search for a new head coach following confirmation that Carles Martínez Novell will depart this week.

Earlier reports suggested Olivier Pantaloni of FC Lorient was the leading contender. The Corsican coach will leave Les Merlus when the campaign ends. Yet Toulouse have not tabled a formal bid for his services. Meanwhile, FC Nantes are also tracking Pantaloni, even though the Yellow House face the threat of dropping to France’s second tier.

Fresh reports from L’Équipe indicate that Christophe Pélissier has entered the frame. The AJ Auxerre manager has built a solid reputation in Ligue 1, and sources describe him as a serious option for the Violet.

The club may also look within their own ranks. Jordan Galtier, who serves as assistant manager, could step up to the main job. This would mirror the path taken by Martínez Novell, who rose from the same position. Galtier is the son of Christophe Galtier, the former boss of Paris Saint-Germain and Lille OSC.