Auxerre enter a new era as Will Still arrives and Diop takes the gloves | OneFootball

15th last season, Auxerre begin 2026-27 with a new head coach, a new number one and a changing home.

Will Still succeeds Christophe Pelissier, arriving on 12 June on a two-year deal after Reims and Lens, plus an unsuccessful Southampton spell from July to November 2025. According to L'Équipe, last season’s aim was simply to stay up, and this campaign will show whether expectations change.

Mauritania international Mamadou Diop, 26, joins from Grenoble to replace Donovan Léon, who has moved to Saudi Arabia. With Théo De Percin loaned to Bastia, Paul Nardi is the new number two and a genuine challenger.

Still regards Nardi as experienced and sees Diop’s unusual journey as a plus. Diop, two point zero four metres tall, has looked imposing so far, and the plan is to let him progress with the team. He will start, and the most convincing will keep the shirt.

Auxerre’s incoming business is complete, now hinging on exits for the likes of Akpa and Owusu, and only irresistible bids for Danois. Around 16 million euros has been invested this summer, excluding a five million option on Rémy Labeau-Lascary at season’s end.

The Louault stand has been under construction since spring yet remains open. Club-funded works, priced at 17 to 20 million euros, are set to lift capacity from 17,500 to 20,000 by early 2027 and add large lounges. A later phase will bring a commercial and medical complex and a footbridge over the Yonne.

The first three fixtures are Lens v Auxerre on Saturday 22 August at 17:15, Auxerre v Angers on Saturday 29 August at 20:45, then Lyon v Auxerre on Saturday 5 September.

Source: L'Équipe

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