Best of the half-season: Coach
As we prepare for the return of Ligue 1 McDonald's this weekend, our team of writers have selected some of their favorites of the season's first half. Hear from Eric, George & Luke as they talk about their best moments before the season resumes, continuing with our picks for the best manager.
Eric: Alexandre Dujeux, Angers
It's been hard going for managers of Angers following the departure of the legendary Stรฉphane Moulin. Gรฉrard Baticle and Abdel Bouhazama both oversaw short and tumultuous spells in charge of Le SCO, and Dujeux who had joined the club in 2021 became a mid-season replacement for Bouhazama. Despite difficult personal circumstances, relegation, a transfer ban and the club's lack of funds, Dujeux has come good in trying times. Not only do Angers look set to avoid the drop, but do so comfortably. Now with more than 100 matches in charge, Dujeux continues to make an impression with limited resources.
๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ ๐ญ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ซ
Notre Coach Dujeux va diriger son ๐ญ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฒฬ๐บ๐ฒ ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฒ๐ป ๐ก๐ผ๐ถ๐ฟ&๐๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ aujourd'hui ๐ค๐ค
Fรฉlicitations Alex ๐ pic.twitter.com/oQrexc50j2โ Angers SCO (@AngersSCO) October 26, 2025
George: Pierre Sage, Lens
It's hard to believe that less than a year ago Pierre Sage was sacked by Olympique Lyonnais. Since then, the Frenchman bided his time for the right job, and when opportunity came knocking at Lens in the summer - it couldn't be helped to think he had found exactly the right fit. But a charge at the top of the Ligue 1 McDonald's table in his first few months in charge - that was somewhat unthinkable, but it is now the reality that Lens find themselves in as they continue to defy the odds this season. Sage is the mind behind that revival, a style of play that ensures the Sang & Or pick up points constantly and are really challenging at the top of the table.
Luke: Alexandre Dujeux, Angers
Of course, Pierre Sage has a decent claim to this award, but Alexandre Dujeux would be a more worthy recipient. Angers were almost written off before the season began. The perception is that Le Sco stayed up last season thanks to the exploits of one man - Esteban Lepaul. With the Frenchman leaving for Rennes over the summer, the thought was that Angers were doomed. But it has been far from doom and gloom and that is thanks to Dujeux. Angers arenโt a team full of stars, and yet they sit tenth and just one point behind Monaco.
