26/27 Preview #12: OGC Nice
After surviving a dramatic relegation play-off at the end of last season, OGC Nice begin again under Olivier Pantaloni as Les Aiglons look to restore some stability on the Côte d'Azur.
Last season
Few teams endured a more dramatic change in fortunes than Nice last season. Franck Haise's side began the campaign in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers after finishing fourth in 2024/25, but their European ambitions quickly gave way to an unexpected battle for survival.
Haise departed by mutual consent in December with Nice sitting 13th, prompting Claude Puel to return to the club more than nine years after the end of his first spell. The experienced coach was unable to completely halt their slide, however, and a goalless draw against FC Metz on the final day left Le Gym 16th and facing a relegation play-off against AS Saint-Étienne.
There was also a run to the Coupe de France final, although RC Lens denied Nice a first major trophy since 1997 with a 3-1 victory at the Stade de France. Four days later, Puel's side drew 0-0 at Saint-Étienne before finally securing their top-flight status with a 4-1 victory in the return leg at the Allianz Riviera.
The coach: Olivier Pantaloni
Nice have entrusted Olivier Pantaloni with leading the club into a new era. The 59-year-old returns to a club he knows well, having spent time in the OGC Nice academy during his playing days. He has signed a two-year contract and arrives with considerable experience of French football following lengthy spells in charge of AC Ajaccio and FC Lorient.
Pantaloni's appointment represents a change of direction after the turbulence of last season. Nice have also brought Roger Ricort back as sporting director, with the emphasis placed on building a more stable and sustainable project.
After coming within one game of Ligue 2 only a few months ago, the immediate objective will be considerably simpler than the European ambitions that surrounded the club last summer: rediscover consistency and move back towards the upper half of Ligue 1 McDonald's.
Key arrivals
Nice have prioritised Ligue 1 McDonald's experience during the summer, beginning with the arrival of Laurent Abergel. The former FC Lorient captain spent seven seasons with Les Merlus and gives Pantaloni an experienced and combative presence in midfield.
Gauthier Hein has also joined after an impressive season with FC Metz. The attacking midfielder recorded eight goals and eight assists in all competitions last term and brings both creativity and extensive experience of the French game.
Their latest recruit is Nathan Ngoumou, who arrives from Borussia Mönchengladbach. The former Toulouse FC winger returns to France after four seasons in Germany and provides Nice with pace and versatility across the frontline following his recovery from an Achilles injury.
Key departures
No departure will be felt more strongly than that of Dante. After ten seasons, the Brazilian brought his playing career to an end following the relegation play-off victory over Saint-Étienne. Having arrived in 2016, he became Nice's captain and one of the defining figures of the club's modern era before leaving to begin his coaching career with Bayern Munich's U23 side.
Charles Vanhoutte has joined Feyenoord after one season on the Côte d'Azur, while Jérémie Boga's move to Juventus became permanent after the Italian club activated their purchase option. Tom Louchet has also left for PAOK, with Kevin Carlos joining Cagliari on loan.
The departures leave Pantaloni with a younger-looking group and a significant leadership void to fill, but there remains plenty of talent in the squad. Yehvann Diouf, Moïse Bombito, Hicham Boudaoui and Sofiane Diop provide a strong core around which Nice can rebuild.
Remember when...
The 2016/17 campaign remains one of the great modern seasons in Nice's history. Lucien Favre arrived during the summer alongside Dante and Mario Balotelli, and Les Aiglons quickly emerged as genuine contenders at the top of Ligue 1. Nice were autumn champions and remained in the title race deep into the campaign, playing some of the most attractive football in the division.
Perhaps the defining night came against Paris Saint-Germain in April. Balotelli opened the scoring before Ricardo Pereira doubled the advantage shortly after half-time, with Anastasios Donis eventually sealing a memorable 3-1 victory in stoppage time. Nice went on to finish third, securing their highest league finish for decades and a place in the Champions League qualifiers.
Cult hero: Dario Cvitanich
Dario Cvitanich spent only two-and-a-half seasons in Nice, but that was more than enough time for the Argentine striker to establish a lasting connection with the club's supporters.
Signed in 2012, Cvitanich scored 19 Ligue 1 goals during his first campaign as Claude Puel's side finished fourth and qualified for Europe. His goals, personality and connection with the Stade du Ray crowd quickly earned him the nickname Super Dario.
He also holds a small piece of Allianz Riviera history, scoring the first goal at Nice's new stadium from the penalty spot in September 2013. Even years after leaving the Côte d'Azur, Cvitanich has remained one of the most fondly remembered Aiglons of the modern era.
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