Former Arsenal captain gets new job as sporting director as club statement released

Former Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny has been appointed as part of the sporting management set up at Ligue 2 side Lorient.

Koscielny, who made 353 appearances and spent nine years during his time at the Emirates, retired from professional football in March 2022 after ending his career at Bordeaux. Since hanging up his boots, Koscielny transitioned into a coaching role with Bordeaux before joining Lorient under manager Regis Le Bris last summer, initially working with the Under 17s.

Discussing his decision to move to Brittany as sporting director, Koscielny explained: "My wife and I were contemplating our future in Bordeaux, but finding opportunities was complicated. Brittany was our top choice, so I reached out to Loic Ferylle, the president of Lorient, to discuss my plans, and the doors opened."

After one season in that role, Koscienly has now moved from the youth system and into the sporting department. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Lorient said: "Laurent Koscielny appointed to sports management.

"Player of Merlus during the 2009-2010 season then of Arsenal where he played for nine seasons, Laurent Koscielny will bring his experience of the very high level to the sports management of FC Lorient."

Koscielny has a difficult task of trying to turn Lorient's fortunes around after the club were relegated to Ligue 2. They finished 17th in the Ligue 1 table and will be joined by Clermont Foot and Metz to drop into the second tier. That has put boss Le Bris under increased pressure - and Koscielny could be responsible for his future.

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He will have significant responsibility in decisions at the top of the club as they prepare for their first season in Ligue 2 since the 2019/20 campaign. Former Manchester City left-back Benjamin Mendy and ex-Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko were among those part of their squad last term.