Nice names Pantaloni as Puel's replacement
Olivier Pantaloni has set out his desire to help Nice return to its former glory after being announced as the club's new manager.
Pantaloni returns to Nice where he spent three years of his playing career in its youth set-up, and replaces Claude Puel in the dugout ahead of the 2026-2027 campaign.
The 59 year-old joins a Nice side which retained its Ligue 1 status by the skin of its teeth last season, after it won a relegation play-off against Saint-Etienne.
He was last in charge of Lorient, where he spent two years at the helm, with Pantaloni guiding them to a 10th-placed finish last term and just nine points off the European spots.
Pantanoli won 39 of the 76 matches he oversaw for Lorient and he is relishing the next challenge of his managerial career.
"It's an immense source of pride for me to manage a club like OGC Nice," he said. "I am delighted today to be returning to the south of France and to a club I know well, having played here for a time. I arrive in Nice with great humility but also great determination.
"I want to respect the club. I will instil the values that I hold dear: humility, hard work, respect, determination and ambition.
"It is up to us to live up to the supporters' expectations and restore OGC Nice to its former glory."
Pantanoli was in the running to replace Pierre Sage at Lens, who has since made the switch to Crystal Palace, and arrives at Nice who are expecting changes this summer.
The club has already sold Jeremie Boga to Juventus after the Serie A giant made his loan move permanent, while Charles Vanhoutte is reportedly close to joining Feyenoord.
Les Aiglons begin the new Ligue 1 season against Pantaloni's former club Lorient on the weekend of 22 August.
