LORRIAN, France (AP) – French league club Lorient on Tuesday named Alexandre Dujou as its new manager, replacing Olivier Pantaloni.
Lorient said in a statement that Dujou has signed a contract for the next two seasons, with an option for an additional year.
Dujou has been Angers’ manager since March 2023, leading the club to return to Ligue 1 at the end of the 2023-24 season.
A former defender, Dujou made over 400 professional appearances in France for Red Star, Châteauroux, Le Havre, Troyes, Ajaccio and Tours. He then coached 127 games at Angers.
“We want to play effective and ambitious football based on a strong collective identity,” Dujou said.
Lorient announced earlier this season that Pantaloni had rejected a contract extension. Pantaloni took over in 2024 following relegation and immediately helped Lorient return to the top tier. Lorient finished 10th in Ligue 1 last season, while Angers finished 13th.
Black Knight Football Club Group became Lorient’s sole shareholder in January. of black knight union The club, led by Bill Foley, the American businessman who owns the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, acquired a minority ownership stake in Lorient in January 2023 as part of a multi-club ownership strategy.
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