Metz dream of hiring Lorient’s Olivier Pantaloni

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Olivier Pantaloni could attract plenty of interest this summer. He joined FC Lorient at the start of last season. He earned the club’s promotion back to Ligue 1 last season at the first time of asking and, despite being one of the favourites for immediate relegation back to Ligue 2, with five gameweeks remaining, Les Merlus are ninth in Ligue 1.

However, despite his excellent work at Lorient, Pantaloni won’t remain at the club beyond the summer, as he has officially confirmed. “ There’s a lot of disappointment “, Pantaloni says. “ I had two wonderful years here. I think I had excellent relationships with everyone involved with the club. It’s a shame it’s come to this (…) But I still feel that distrust, and that’s why I refuse to work in those conditions,” he told Ouest-France, officialising his upcoming exit earlier this month.

Given his work, Pantaloni could be an attractive proposition for many clubs, including FC Metz, who are now preparing for life back in Ligue 2. Whilst relegation to the second division has not been confirmed, it is only a matter of time. It is unclear whether Benoit Tavenot, who replaced Stéphane Le Mignan back in January, will remain in his post.

In any case, Metz president Bernard Serin “has a dream” of bringing Pantaloni to the club in the summer, as per a report from Mohamed Toubache-Ter.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle