Bölöni replaces Wallemme at Lens

Ligue 1 strugglers RC Lens have named the experienced László Bölöni as their new coach after Jean-Guy Wallemme "asked to be released" by the club, according to president Gervais Martel.

Bölöni's appointment marks the 57-year-old Romanian's return to European football after a short spell at Al-Wadha Sports Club in the United Arab Emirates ended last September. He had previously steered R. Standard de Liège to the Belgian title in 2009 before leaving in February last year.

Explaining the change, Martel said: "After the Bordeaux match [a 2-2 away draw on 22 December], Jean-Guy Wallemme asked us to be released [from his duties]. After consultation, we accepted this decision and our choice focused on the recruitment of Dr László Bölöni, who has the task of securing RC Lens' Ligue 1 place." Wallemme had been at the Lens helm since June 2008. Les Sang et Or sit one off the bottom of the top flight, having won only one of their last seven games.

Bölöni is no stranger to French football having coached in Ligue 1 at AS Monaco FC until 2006. The one-time Romania coach also had spells at Stade Rennais FC and AS Nancy-Lorraine. He was a European champion as a player with FC Steaua Bucureşti in 1985/86 and his CV also includes winning the Portuguese league title with Sporting Clube de Portugal in 2001/02.