AJ Auxerre sack Christophe Pélissier despite Ligue 1 survival | OneFootball

AJ Auxerre have sacked head coach Christophe Pélissier despite avoiding relegation from Ligue 1. According to Le Progres, the decision follows a strong finish to the season.

Auxerre won their final three matches, beating Nice 2-1 on 10 May then winning 2-0 at Lille on the last day to secure safety. The result against Nice pushed the Aiglons into the play-off place.

Pélissier arrived in October 2022 after the dismissal of Jean-Marc Furlan but could not prevent relegation to Ligue 2 that season, finishing 17th. That campaign featured four relegations as Ligue 1 was reduced from 20 to 18 clubs.

Auxerre returned immediately and posted an 11th-place finish in 2025. This term their late surge confirmed another year in the top flight.

The split comes amid internal tensions involving Pélissier, sporting director David Wantier and executive president Baptiste Malherbe, whose position is uncertain. Owner-president James Zhou has been managing the situation from China for several months.

Supporters' groups backed Pélissier during the season and again this week. They plan a Saturday afternoon gathering to show support for the coach and to call for Wantier's departure, whom they blame for recent results.

Source: Le Progres