Why does Olivier Létang rile so many? | OneFootball

Olivier Létang, Lille’s president and head of the Ligue 1 presidents’ college, polarises French football despite widely acknowledged executive talent. He is credited with rescuing LOSC since arriving in December 2020.

According to L'Équipe, insiders portray a powerful, volatile operator who clashes with referees and exasperates many peers and coaches. He won his Ligue 1 role narrowly in October, with one colleague attributing it to support from Nasser al-Khelaïfi.

At Rennes he was sacked in February 2020 amid accusations of omnipresence and a stand-off with Julien Stéphan, even with the team third. Some coaches refuse to speak about him, while Sabri Lamouchi depicts a bright, hard-working but demanding boss.

Last season, relations with Bruno Genesio were tested. Before the Champions League tie against Real Madrid, a 1-0 on 2 October 2024, Létang overruled plans for Jonathan David to attend media duties and imposed Thomas Meunier, then the press officer was severely reprimanded and later took five weeks of sick leave.

Control extends beyond sport. At LOSC only Létang and Genesio may speak publicly, he opposed a fairer split of international TV rights, and a senior club figure once received a stinging email after talking out of turn.

Smaller frictions persist, from his labrador roaming Luchin and requests for staff to dog-sit, to frequent post-match TV appearances and complaints about on-air attire. Admirers call him brilliant and tireless, critics see a mercurial monarch.

Source: L'Équipe