RC Strasbourg Alsace has announced the appointment of experienced head coach Frédéric Antonetti. The former Corsican midfielder signed an 18-month contract with the 17th-placed side in Ligue 1. Antonetti will lead his first training session with the Alsatians on Tuesday afternoon. It is decided following a joint press conference with club president Marc Keller.
Antonetti takes over for Mathieu Le Scornet. The latter served as Julien Stéphan’s assistant coach. Julien Stéphan was fired last month after a string of disappointing performances that placed RSCA in the relegation zone with a 4-team advantage. In his first two games as interim manager, the 39-year-old drew 2-2 at home against then-second-placed Lens and secured a much-needed win away at struggling Lyon. He was then given a full-time position. Unfortunately, RC Strasbourg faltered and dropped three of their last four Ligue 1 games, including a 3-0 defeat at Rennes. Their 2-0 defeat at Lille yesterday dropped them into the relegation zone.
According to the outlet, Le Scornet’s lack of experience hurt his chances of keeping the job for the duration of the relegation battle. Antonetti had been a free agent since leaving FC Metz at the end of the previous season.
