At the heart of the club’s project, the Youth Academy has been reorganised to better respond to Le Gym’s sporting needs.

Led by Julien Sablé, who is assisted by Fabien Caballero, the Youth Academy is continuing its evolution with the reinforcement of competencies and the club’s identity at the heart of the project.

There are a number of notable arrivals, including Raphael Cosmidis, who comes in from Olympique Lyonnais and who will assist Julien Sablé with the Elite Group. Orlando Silvestri (ex-VAFC), accompanied by Zakaria Rehmani (ex-Saint-Sylvestre), will take charge of the U19 category. Romain Lattron, who is also the Youth Academy head of methodology, returns to the U17s after working as Julien Sablé’s assistant. Johan Audel will lead the U16s and will be the head of postional specialisation and individualisation.

There are also changes to the pre-Youth Academy with Luigi Renna appointed as its head. Formerly an elite youth coach with the French Football Federation, he also has qualifications in fitness and mental preparation, and performance optimisation, among others. He is a top-line choice for what has been pinpointed as a crucial sector by the club’s management. He replaces Stéphane François, and will also take charge of the U14s.  

Ounoussou Timera is arriving to lead the U13s. Axel Mazerbourg – who is also the U11 coach – will oversee recruitment to the School of Football. Alain Wathelet has been named Technical Director of the OGC Nice Association and the women’s department.

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