Manager Profile: Christophe Pélissier

"These are moments you live for, especially when you see the supporters that followed us tonight. The last time I saw that was in the match for the league title at Amiens with Reims," a jubilant Christophe Pélissier recalls after Auxerre were promoted to Ligue 1 in May. He's no stranger to bringing a club up from Ligue 2 into the big time. After all, he'd already achieved the feat with Lorient and Amiens previously; and he kept both clubs up on both occasions. He's hoping to make it a third with Auxerre - and wins such as the dramatic season opener against OGC Nice (2-1) will be vital if they are to forge a path to survival this season in Ligue 1. But first thing first, what's Christophe Pelissier's story?

'LE Magicien' - from the fourth tier  to Ligue 1

Pelissier has had to work his way to the top. Finishing his career as an amateur footballer in 2000, he managed amateur side US Revel for six seasons in the fourth tier. After spending a year at AS Muret at the same level, he would go onto manage in the third division (National) with Luzenac. He kept  the club in the division with a limited budget, and completed an unbelievable campaign in the 2013-2014 season to reach Ligue 2. Whilst the club were administratively relegated at the end of the season, Pelissier would earn a move to Amiens where he started to make a real name for himself in French football.

Promotion specialist

With Les Licornes, he earned promotion to Ligue 2 for a second time, before taking the club higher than they've ever been before: promotion to Ligue 1 in the 2016-2017 season. Known as "Pelissier le Magicien" after his third successive promotion campaign, he stayed at he Norman club until 2019. 

Back in Ligue 2 with FC Lorient, he earned promotion to Ligue 1 with Les Merlus as champions in 2019-2020 three years after leaving the top tier. He kept the Breton side up for two seasons before leaving the club. 

the Auxerre mission back to Ligue 1

In October 2022, AJ Auxerre would call on his services. The mission was tough: keep the struggling Ligue 1 side in the division. It was heartbreak on the final day of the season for Les Diplomates, but Pelissier would get AJA back to Ligue 1 at the first attempt. He then won Ligue 2 BKT manager of the year at the UNFP end of season awards for the 2023-2024 campaign. 

On their return to the top flight Auxerre dramatically won against Nice thanks to a last-minute strike via Lasso Coulibaly (2-1). Pelisser would have been happy with the result, but now the focus switches to a tricky trip to FC Nantes on Sunday (17:00) in what could be a vital match in the battle to stay in the division by the end of the season.

READ MORE: 

Back to the Big Time: Auxerre's road back to Ligue 1