Rivère returns as OGC Nice replace Bocquet, Cohen to assist amid limited funds | OneFootball

Jean-Pierre Rivère has returned as OGC Nice president, replacing Fabrice Bocquet, with Maurice Cohen back to run daily operations. January funds are unclear.

The changes were announced on Friday after Franck Haise’s briefing for Sunday’s Coupe de France tie with Saint-Étienne at 14:45. According to L'Équipe, this is Rivère’s third spell and Cohen returns as vice-president.

Bocquet had discussed a reset with ownership amid nine straight defeats and late-November clashes involving players and sporting director Florian Maurice. He felt the levers were unavailable, a coaching change he proposed was dismissed, and winter business will largely be loans.

Appointed in November 2022, he cut costs, moved on big earners and raised fees, yet Nice finished top five in each of the past two seasons. He also upset parts of the club by parting with long-standing figures, and a tough summer window fractured alignment between presidency, recruitment and coach.

The recalls aim to ease unrest and rekindle a Niçois identity, with Cohen invoking the 2002 crisis for unity. Sportingly, continuity prevails, Haise stays and the leadership will lean on him and Florian Maurice while seeking a prudent window.

Needs are urgent, a striker if Terem Moffi does leave and with Kevin Carlos still adapting, plus a centre-back given injuries to Dante, Ndayishimiye, Bombito and Abdelmonem, and Mendy at the Africa Cup. On Sunday they face Saint-Étienne behind closed doors, a year on from an 8-0 win when Youssoufa Moukoko scored twice, and Rivère said they might not win, with survival the priority.

Source: L'Équipe