Muller makes way at Lens
Monday, January 24, 2005
Article summary
Joël Muller has been sacked as coach of Ligue 1 club RC Lens after a run of three successive defeats.
Article body
Defeat in Monaco
A club statement this morning explained that Lens chairman Gervais Martel told Muller and his assistants, Michel Ettorre and Georges Tournay, that their services would no longer be required in the wake of Saturday's 2-0 loss away against AS Monaco FC.
Fans protest
The reverse was the side's third straight defeat, including setbacks at Ligue 1's bottom club FC Istres and at home against AS Saint-Etienne in the French League Cup quarter-finals. Lens lie 14th in the 20-team table, and disgruntled fans tried to invade the pitch during the closing stages of the 3-0 defeat by St Etienne last Wednesday.
Gillot takes charge
Muller's initial replacement will be promoted from within, with assistant Francis Gillot taking the reins, possibly for the remainder of the season. The 43-year-old, who played for Lens from 1985-88 and from 1989-93, will be joined on the bench by Didier Sénac and Eric Sikora for Wednesday's home game against another struggling side, SM Caen.
Muller talks due
Meanwhile, the 53-year-old Muller, who arrived at Lens three-and-a-half years ago from FC Metz, is expected to be offered another position at the club.
