Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri has reported that Italian manager Francesco Farioli – last in charge of Turkish side Alanyaspor – is set to take over at OGC Nice this summer, leaving Leeds target Regis Le Bris in limbo, at Lorient.
A lot to unpack here. Firstly, The Sun reported soon after the end of the 22-23 campaign that Le Bris was one of a number of names on the Leeds shortlist. A shortlist that might have initially comprised of as many as 24 managers.
Numerous reports since, most-recently from RMC in France, said that Nice were targeting Le Bris. So much so, Le Bris handed in a transfer request at Lorient. But, that Lorient were still blocking Le Bris from leaving his current club.
Now, Tavolieri delivers an update – which leaves Le Bris in limbo. Desperate to join Nice, the INEOS-owned club have moved on from trying to lure Le Bris out of Lorient, and gone for Farioli. The Italian is in ‘pole position’ for the job.
It leaves Le Bris, who started the summer with interest from Leeds and Nice – and thus requesting to leave Lorient – in limbo. With Leeds set to appoint Daniel Farke or Patrick Vieira, Le Bris looks set to remain at Ligue 1 side Lorient.
Farioli set to take over at Nice leaving Leeds target Le Bris in limbo
Le Bris impressed in his first season in senior management. Having worked at Lorient in different roles for a decade prior to actually winning the job – he took Lorient from 16th in 2021-22, to a respectable 10th. Hence the interest.
But it now looks like he will be forced to remain at Lorient at least for the 2023-24 campaign. That is despite being on the radar of both Leeds and Nice. Le Bris will have to impress once again to attract more suitors going forward.
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