Le Mans coach Thierry Goudet, who guided the club into Ligue 1 for the first time, has resigned.
“After a lot of thinking, I decided that for the club’s sake it would be better for me to step down,” Goudet told a news conference.
“We have 15 games left and we can save our place in the top flight with somebody else in charge.”
Le Mans are second to bottom in the league with just four victories in 23 games.
Goudet will be replaced on a short-term basis by deputy coach Alain Pascalou and remain as general manager.
He took over the club in 2000 before leading them into Ligue 1 for the first time in their history last season.
