Pierre Sage named Ligue 1 coach of the year after leading Lens back to Champions League | OneFootball

Pierre Sage has been named Ligue 1 coach of the year after sealing Lens’s return to the Champions League. According to L'Équipe, the accolade was confirmed on Monday.

His rise accelerated in November 2023 when he took interim charge of Lyon. He delivered a 59% win rate, 33 wins in 56 matches, hauling the side from the depths to Europe and into a first Coupe de France final since 2012, a 1-2 loss to PSG, before John Textor dismissed him in late January 2025.

Lens made him the priority of their new leadership and he settled instantly. They pushed PSG for the title, finished second, and will contest the Coupe de France final on 22 May against Nice.

Goalkeeper Robin Risser, who flourished under Sage and was voted the league’s best in his debut top-flight season, praised his ability to unite individuals.

Sage received the trophy from Didier Deschamps. He had voted for Luis Enrique, Bruno Genesio and Alexandre Dujeux, and became the fourth Lens coach to claim this honour.

He will lead Lens into the Champions League at Bollaert next season. At 47, he said it will be a new experience with extra demands after one match per week, and that the campaign will be more difficult yet exciting, while playing down any wardrobe upgrade for European nights.

Source: L'Équipe