Preview #18: ESTAC Troyes
Our series of previews of the Ligue 1 McDonald's season concludes with ESTAC Troyes -- get the latest on the promoted side.
Last season
After a disappointing mid-table finish in 2024/25, Troyes were comfortable winners of Ligue 2 BKT last season, finishing five points clear thanks to the efforts of on-loan striker Tawfik Bentayeb (18 goals). Having gone through several promotions and relegations over the last twenty years, the club will hope to have a longer stretch in the top flight this season.
The coach
Stéphane Dumont may not be a glamorous name, but he's impressed with a body of work that now spans five seasons. A former midfielder who was a part of Lille's double-winning side in 2011, he retired at an early age and after spells as an assistant there and with Reims, he took the reins at Guingamp in 2021. Following three top-half finishes, he moved to Troyes where after an uneven first season, he helped the Aube side finish top with the division's best attack. Expectations may need to be tempered in the top flight, but Dumont makes this side a far cry from the club's yo-yoing in the recent past.
Key arrivals
It's slim pickings for the promoted side on this score -- young Australian international goalkeeper Patrick Beach, so impressive at the World Cup, is the headline signing, but defender Junior Diaz -- on loan at Brest last season -- will also be key. In the attacking department, there will be plenty of pressure on Hugo Picard, a player who had worked with Dumont at Guingamp but has been plying his trade in Major League soccer of late
Key departures
Tawfik Bentayeb will obviously be the biggest miss, as the Moroccan played his way into his senior debut for his country, but he is far from alone in being a big miss. Mathys Detourbet, who was signed by sister club Manchester City, will now be plying his trade in Monaco and attacking midfielder Martin Adeline has also left, having hit double figures for goals and assists last season.
Remember when...
Troyes' relevance to English-speaking fans of a certain age likely comes from their three European campaigns at the turn of the century, including a thrilling second round UEFA Cup tie against Leeds. After losing the away leg 4-2, Troyes had battled back to level the tie at five-all on aggregate, only to be undone by a late Robbie Keane strike. Despite the defeat, their impressive display against the likes of Robbie Fowler and Mark Viduka remains a high point in their history.
Cult hero: BENJAMIN NIVET
Over two lengthy spells, Nivet wrote his name in the club's history books with more than 400 appearances, eventually retiring in 2019 age 42. In his final season in the top flight, he became the oldest player to score in Ligue 1, and remains their all-time top scorer.
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