Benoît Tavenot returns to Metz to lead survival bid after Le Mignan exit | OneFootball

FC Metz have parted company with Stéphane Le Mignan and, on Tuesday, appointed Benoît Tavenot for the run-in, a return after his assistant stint from 2019 to 2022. President Bernard Serin made the change reluctantly, a call seen as reassuring by some but far from unanimous.

Tavenot arrived two days after a 1-2 defeat at Strasbourg, the club’s 12th loss in 18 Ligue 1 matches, and led a first session behind closed doors. He addressed the squad with a hopeful message.

According to Le Républicain Lorrain, experienced and costlier options Michel Der Zakarian, Olivier Dall’Oglio and Pascal Dupraz were assessed and rejected. Antoine Kombouaré, who declined an approach in late October before wins over Lens, Nantes and Nice, was not discussed in recent meetings.

Le Mignan becomes only the fourth in-season dismissal of Serin’s near 17-year reign, after Yvon Pouliquen, José Riga and Philippe Hinschberger.

Reaction is split. An agent close to the dressing room expects Tavenot to help by clarifying matters and working more closely with the group, particularly younger players. Le Mignan was viewed by several seniors as tactically rigid and distant.

Tavenot’s Bastia spell fuels debate. He was sacked in late October 2025 with Bastia bottom and winless in 11 Ligue 2 rounds, and he served an eight-match ban after an incident with Pau defender Jordy Gaspar in January 2025.

Set against that, he led Bastia to eighth in his first season and finished fourth in National with Dijon in 2023-2024. Antonetti’s former assistant at Metz, he took the SCB job in July 2024 on Frédéric Antonetti’s suggestion.

Source: L'Équipe