In an official communiqué issued on Tuesday afternoon, OGC Nice has announced that it has begun the formal procedure of removing Ollé-Nicolle from the position of head coach.
"We are seeking to dismiss Mr Didier Ollé-Nicolle," read the statement. "As the dismissal process is under way, in conformity with the law, no final decision can be taken before a preliminary interview, which will take place next week, as well as the special conciliation proceedings stipulated in the Football Charter."
As of yesterday, and for the foreseeable future, Ollé-Nicolle’s functions as head coach will be undertaken by the trio of sporting director Eric Roy, youth academy Director René Marsiglia and youth coach Frédéric Gioria.
Last straw
While the communiqué also said that legal concerns prevent the club from discussing the reasons for the dismissal, it seems Nice’s last-minute 3-2 loss to Nancy at the weekend was the last straw for the club’s directors, who had hoped to be placed much higher than 17th place at this stage of the season when they signed Didier Ollé-Nicolle as head coach in the summer.
The former Clermont, Nîmes and Valenciennes boss had high hopes when he inherited a talented squad from predecessor Frédéric Antonetti but a string of key injuries hampered his plans and the campaign never really got going for Nice who, with just one win in their last 15 matches, are now only five points above the relegation zone.
Into the deep end
Nice's new coaching trio will face their first test this weekend in a relegation six-pointer as they travel to 18th-placed Le Mans, who will be looking to close the gap behind Nice to just two points with a win.
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Nice have announced their intention to sack coach Didier Ollé-Nicolle as the 17th-placed club skates on thin ice above the drop zone, opting to replace him with a trio of existing club staff for the time being.