Football Season Guide

Lens are preparing for another campaign in Ligue 2 after falling short in their quest to make an immediate return to the top flight last season. It is all change at the northern giants, with new owners in place in the shape of the Luxembourg-based Solferino group, who have close links to Atletico Madrid. At the forefront of this group is Ignacio Aguillo, a Spaniard who speaks perfect French, but the long-serving Gervais Martel remains the president. There is a new coach as well, with Antoine Kombouare having finally moved on to top-flight side Guingamp. His replacement is the former Toulouse coach Alain Casanova, who was chosen ahead of former Rennes boss Philippe Montanier. "I rejected several offers to come to Lens. They are a legendary club," the new coach said after his appointment. Casanova has seen key players from last season move on in Pierrick Valdivia, Pablo Chavarria and Jean-Philippe Gbamin. However, some interesting signings have been made as Les Sang et Or look to be competitive. Nicolas Douchez and Mohamed Fofana provide plenty of experience, while Teddy Chevalier will be keen to make an impression at the club he supported as a boy after spending a number of years playing in Belgium and then having a difficult season in Turkey. Kevin Fortune is another interesting recruit - he was the joint leading scorer in the third tier last term with AS Beziers.