Lille part ways with coach Herve Renard after only six months
Lille have parted company with coach Herve Renard after less than six months in charge, the club have announced.
Renard joined the club in May on a three-year contract but with the club struggling in 16th in Ligue 1, Saturday's draw with Bastia proved to be his last game in charge.
A club statement read: "LOSC announce the end, in amicable fashion, of their collaboration with Herve Renard.
"Herve Renard is no longer the coach of LOSC. First-team preparations will be conducted in the coming days by one of his assistants, Patrick Collot, and the technical staff."
Renard made his name in the African Nations Cup, becoming the first coach to win it with two different countries - Zambia in 2012 and the Ivory Coast this year.
But his domestic pedigree in his homeland is less established, having left Sochaux following their relegation last year.
His Lille reign began inauspiciously as, despite limiting Paris St Germain to a 1-0 win on the opening day of the season, they scored only two goals in their first eight games of the season.
A 2-0 win over Montpellier helped them take six points from the next five games, their only defeat coming against Marseille, while they beat Troyes 2-1 to reach the last eight of the Coupe de la Ligue.
Nevertheless, 13 points and only seven goals in 13 games was not enough to impress club president Michel Seydoux.
Lille's statement continued: "After 13 games, LOSC are 16th in the table: a perilous position and certainly not at the height of the club's expectations. A position which does not appear in keeping with the ability and potential of the team, which results show has not found the right dynamic with Herve Renard.
"Absolutely convinced of the talent in the team, Michel Seydoux will quickly review the management of the first team to rebuild a positive dynamic and put Lille back on course for success.
"Though the collaboration with coach Herve Renard has ended in a shared acknowledgement of failure, leading to this announcement today, LOSC have truly appreciated the relationship with him and wish him success in the rest of his career.
"Herve Renard would also like to thank and send his best wishes to the supporters and employees of LOSC."
