Toulouse, France: Alain Casanova’s seven-year reign as coach of Toulouse ended on Monday with his sacking by the struggling Ligue 1 side.
The 52-year-old took control of Toulouse in 2008, his first coaching appointment after a successful playing career as a goalkeeper for Le Havre, Marseille and Toulouse.
Casanova was the French top flight’s longest serving manager, having taken up the position in May 2008, from Elie Baup.
But a poor run of results, the latest Saturday’s 1-0 loss to fellow strugglers Lens, coming after a 6-1 thrashing by Marseille, forced the club’s hand.
Casanova leaves with Toulouse third from bottom and embroiled in a fight to stay in the top flight.
Dominique Arribage, in charge of the club’s recruitment policy, was named as his successor.
“Alain is no longer the coach of Toulouse,” club president Olivier Sadran told a press conference.
“It’s obvious this has been a very complicated decision. It comes from a very hard period for the team, which has left us in a very delicate position.
“We have the strong conviction that our future is in L1. We’re in a boat that even if it’s rolling from time to time, it’s unsinkable.”
While Casanova held the record as the longest serving coach still working, the all time record is held by Guy Roux, coach of French football club Auxerre for a 36-year period between 1964 and 2000.
