Nice begin rebuild after survival, Moncada talks planned as Cohen prepares fresh start | OneFootball

Fresh from clinging to Ligue 1 status, OGC Nice will open a new cycle early this week, with meetings planned with Geoffrey Moncada for sporting director and Roger Ricort about an advisory role. According to L'Équipe, vice-chair Maurice Cohen is now driving the reset.

Nice stayed up by turning the play-off second leg against Saint-Étienne their way, winning 4-1 after a 0-0 first leg, with the decisive surge in the final 10 minutes. The squad marked Dante’s retirement, then shared a low-key toast before dispersing for holidays or, for some, the World Cup from 11 June-19 July.

The training ground will not be quiet. Cohen said the hardest part starts now, and he intends to wipe the slate clean to restore the club to its standards.

De facto boss for six months, Cohen will no longer share control with Jean-Pierre Rivère after a mixed interim. Until any takeover talks crystallise, he has freedom to act, though major calls require sign-off from Ineos Sport CEO Jean-Claude Blanc.

Sporting director is the priority, with Moncada in pole. After an initial video meeting with Blanc and Cohen, an in-person discussion is set for Monday to go deeper, with no contract terms yet addressed.

Ricort is also expected at the club to discuss offering targeted support in what is set to be a huge window.

While trimming the wage bill comes first, there should still be a €60 million budget, which could support a push for ninth or 10th. The recruitment pot will be modest and sale-dependent, but scope exists for smart moves.

The incoming sporting director will first review scouting and the academy, then appoint a head coach to replace Claude Puel, 64, whose deal ends on 30 June. Internally, names such as Alexandre Dujeux and Didier Digard, out of contract at Le Havre, have been discussed.

Source: L'Équipe