Football Season Guide

Orleans are fresh from enjoying their best season in three decades, with an eighth-place finish in Ligue 2 coupled with a run to the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France, where they were beaten by the eventual winners Rennes. Now the challenge for Didier Olle-Nicolle's side is to see if they can somehow better that. It will be tough, not least because a host of players have departed. Veterans Pierre Bouby and Karim Ziani have retired, while Adrien Monfray and Ousmane Cissokho have joined rival Ligue 2 clubs and the excellent goalkeeper Gauthier Gallon has taken the step up to the top flight with Nimes. That means that a rebuilding job has been required at the Stade de la Source, as is the case at so many clubs at this level. Jeremy Vachoux has signed from Lens and will be charged with replacing Gallon between the posts, while a number of players have arrived from lower leagues, including Joris Correa. His goals were vital in helping Chambly win promotion from the third tier and it will be fascinating to see if he can carry that form into Ligue 2. The close relationship between Orleans and Paris Saint-Germain has helped the club bring young full-back Arnaud Luzayadio from the capital to the banks of the River Loire on a three-year deal. It remains to be seen if Olle-Nicolle can turn a young side into a competitive one like last season's vintage. "We have progressed steadily, and that fits quite well with our strategy of progressively rejuvenating the squad. This league demands a lot of activity and energy from players, which makes it a good stepping stone for the youngsters."