Lens name Sage’s successor: Toppmöller appointed head coach with retro video-game announcement

After Pierre Sage’s move to Crystal Palace was made official yesterday, it was RC Lens’ turn to announce their next head coach. Les Sang et Or have chosen the successor to the French manager who not only competed with Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 until the end of the season, but also won the Coupe de France for the first time in the club’s history.

Now it is time to focus on the present and the immediate future. The Artois club announced this morning the appointment of Dino Toppmöller. The 45-year-old German coach had been out of work since leaving Eintracht Frankfurt last January, and previously served as assistant coach at both Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig. This will be the Wadern-born manager’s first experience as a head coach in France’s top flight.

The colourful touch came from Lens’ official announcement, delivered in retro video-game style, charting Toppmöller’s career path up to the point of signing with the Artois club. The video unveiling the new German coach was released across the various social media channels of Les Sang et Or.

Toppmöller’s first Lens words: “We can cause anyone problems in the Champions League”
Lens have turned the page. After the end of the Pierre Sage era, following his move to Crystal Palace, the French club have handed the dugout to Dino Toppmöller, a 45-year-old German coach who introduced himself to the media with enthusiasm and real confidence ahead of his new adventure in Artois.

Fresh from his spell in charge of Eintracht Frankfurt, which ended last January, Toppmöller explained that his decision to accept the Lens project came together almost immediately, thanks to the understanding he found with the club’s hierarchy, represented by Benjamin Parrot and Jean-Louis Leca.
“I am very happy to be here. I was looking for an ambitious club, with people who shared my values and a great passion for football. From the very first video call, which lasted more than two hours, I felt a special connection. I told my wife: this is the club where I want to work,” the new Sang et Or head coach explained.

Toppmöller then outlined his footballing ideas, suggesting there will be no tactical revolution. Lens will continue to use a back three, but with an even more attacking and aggressive approach.
“I like intense football. Last season Lens were already one of the most aggressive teams in the league and I want to continue along that path. I want a team that plays forward, with clear ideas and technical quality. The most important thing is to give everything for this shirt. I am convinced the squad has the right characteristics to put this type of football into practice.”