Christophe Pelissier backed as Auxerre seek reaction at Lorient after Rennes setback | OneFootball

Backed by owner James Zhou, president Baptiste Malherbe and the club’s supporters, Christophe Pelissier hopes Auxerre can respond at Lorient on Sunday at 17:15 after last weekend’s 0-3 home defeat to Rennes. The Ligue 1 strugglers currently occupy the relegation play-off place.

A brief uptick of two 0-0 draws, at Toulouse and against Paris FC, then a 3-1 win at bottom club Metz, was cut short. The final score was set by half-time, and Pelissier made four substitutions at the interval.

Numbers capture the frustration. Auxerre are Ligue 1’s least rewarded side, with a 10.6-point shortfall, 27.6 expected points against 17 earned, and a 7.9-goal gap, 24.9 expected goals with 17 scored, the league’s worst attack.

Pelissier has only four wins this season, just one away, yet remains in post, the sole survivor among coaches who began the campaign in charge of today’s bottom five. Fans continue to back him, unlike sporting director David Wantier, whose resignation they are demanding. Forward Lassine Sinayoko remains central to their attacking output, and Pelissier held an in-depth discussion with Malherbe after the loss.

“We have made mistakes and must take responsibility. But it is above all for the investor to take them. This is not the moment to look for whose fault it is. I have confidence in the staff and Christophe Pelissier to secure survival. We are in the same boat and it is not sunk,” James Zhou told L’Yonne Républicaine on Friday.

Source: L'Équipe