L’Équipe understands that former Olympique Lyonnais manager Pierre Sage has agreed to take over as manager of RC Lens. 

Lens have been without a manager since the final day of the Ligue 1 season, when Will Still shocked journalists by announcing his departure after just one season at the helm. He has since taken the job at Southampton. 

That was almost two weeks ago, and whilst Lens are yet to name Still’s successor, they may be about to. Foot Mercato reported earlier on Friday that Sage was the leading candidate to take the vacancy at Lens. He was ahead of USL Dunkerque’s Luís Castro, most notably, whilst Sylvain Ripoll was another name in the running. 

L’Équipe now report that, six months after leaving Lyon, Sage will take the job at the Bollaert, having reached an agreement with the Ligue 1 side. The contract is for two or three years. It is not yet clear who will be part of the Frenchman’s staff at Lens.