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Opinion

Best of 2025/26: Best Coach

With the curtain having come down on the 2025/26 Ligue 1 McDonald's season, in a new series, the editorial staff picks their favorite moments of what was a thrilling season, continuing with the Best Coach.
STAFF
Published on 05/25/2026 at 02:00
4-minute read
Pierre Sage's work with RC Lens made him George Boxall's pick for Manager of the Year

With the curtain having come down on the 2025/26 Ligue 1 McDonald's season, in a new series, the editorial staff picks their favorite moments of what was a thrilling season, continuing with the Best Coach. Join George Boxall, Eric Devin and Luke Entwistle for a bumper review.

Pierre Sage, RC LENS

Pierre Sage’s reputation as one of France’s brightest coaching talents has only grown stronger this season. After guiding Lyon from the foot of Ligue 1 to European qualification and a Coupe de France final during the 2023/24 campaign, his departure from the club came as a surprise to many. However, rather than rush into another role, Sage waited for the right opportunity, and Lens proved to be the perfect match. 

Few expected Les Sang et Or to challenge near the top of the table after a summer marked by significant departures and financial restraint. The objective was simply to remain competitive and secure European football. Yet Lens have defied the odds and spent most of the season locked in a title race with PSG, as well as also reaching the Coupe de France final. A first major domestic trophy since the 1990s is within touching distance for the Sang & Or. The success is no accident. Sage has instilled a clear identity built on an organised structure, high intensity pressing and an ability to play risky when required. It has allowed Lens to maximise every ounce of quality with the squad. His side are difficult to break down, effective in possession and relentlessly competitive regardless of the opposition. Sage has once again exceeded expectations, establishing himself as one of the most innovative and impressive managers currently working in French football. -GB 

Paulo Fonseca, Olympique Lyonnais

There's no doubting the heights to which Pierre Sage has taken Lens this season, Olivier Pantaloni's miracle-working in Lorient, or indeed another consummate display from Luis Enrique with Paris Saint-Germain. But for me, it's incredibly difficult to look past Paulo Fonseca's season with Lyon. The Portuguese had already impressed in Ligue 1 McDonald's during his previous spell with LOSC, but with Lyon he has reached a new level. 

Shaking off a gutting Europa League elimination and lengthy suspension last season, to say nothing of a vortex of long-term injuries and departures (Lucas Perri, Alexandre Lacazette, Ernest Nuamah, Malick Fofana and Georges Mikautadze were all non-factors this season), to reach the Champions League for the first time since Les Gones qualified for the semifinals in 2020 is a simply majestic achievement. Whether it's helping the club's youngsters (Khalis Merah, Afonso Moreira, Endrick) to shine, or helping veterans like Corentin Tolisso or Moussa Niakhaté be in the form of their careers, Fonseca's results this season were truly something special - ED

Olivier Pantaloni, FC Lorient

Pierre Sage, given how his Lens side exceeded all expectations this season, is an obvious choice. But if we’re talking about perceived over-performance, it is really difficult to overlook what Olivier Pantaloni achieved at Lorient this season. He guided Les Merlus back into the top-flight at the first time of asking last season. But having done so, Lorient were most people’s favourite for an immediate return to Ligue 2 BKT. He subverted those expectations and spectacularly. Pantaloni has legendary status in his native Corsica thanks to his work at Ajaccio, which spanned a decade. This season was one in which he evidenced a capacity for growth. 

There was innovation to what Pantaloni was doing by pushing his centre-backs onto the last line of the opposition defence in possession. It was an innovation that bamboozled many an opposition. But it has been his capacity to develop players that has been the most impressive. Incredibly, Arsene Kouassi had never competed in the top-flight this season but you could never have told. Pantaloni perfectly understood his skillset and platformed him to be one of the best full-backs in the league; Pablo Pagis was a veritable revelation, who can now dream of bigger things; and Bamba Dieng is a player reborn. An adept “man manager” and an innovator, Pantaloni, having confirmed his exit from Lorient, must now be considered hot property on the managerial market. -LE

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