Hantz opts for Sochaux switch

French Cup winners FC Sochaux-Montbéliard have appointed Frédéric Hantz as their new coach following the departure of Alain Perrin to Olympique Lyonnais.

In demand
Hantz, who will arrive in Sochaux to sign a two-year contract on Wednesday, has decided to leave Le Mans UC 72 after two-and-half seasons at the Stade Léon Bollée. "[Sochaux president] Jean-Claude Plessis contacted me very quickly to say he wanted me to replace Perrin," Hantz explained. “What pleased me was that they really wanted me. I was on top of their wish list."

European first
The 41-year-old former ESA Brive coach will begin preparations for his first European campaign after Sochaux booked their place in next season’s UEFA Cup by beating Olympique de Marseille on penalties in the French Cup final last month. Sochaux finished the season seventh in Ligue 1, while Le Mans came 12th, and Hantz added: “This feels like a kind of promotion to me.”