Sporting director Demba Ba has decided to leave Le Havre, according to a report from L’Équipe on Monday, 2 November. His decision adds to the uncertainty at the Ligue 1 club after the recent departures of head coach Didier Digard and president Jean-Michel Roussier. Le Havre have not yet made an official announcement confirming Ba’s exit.
The former Senegal international took the role on 19 June, just over four months ago, when he signed a reported two-year contract to oversee the club’s sporting operations. According to L’Équipe, Ba chose to end his time at Le Havre because the project that came with his arrival had been called into question.
The news follows a difficult weekend for Le Havre, who lost 5-1 at home to Paris Saint-Germain on 30 October. After that defeat, the club announced that Digard had been placed on precautionary suspension while a formal procedure takes place.
Le Havre also confirmed that the board of Blue Crow Sports Group, the club’s ownership group, had accepted Roussier’s resignation as president in principle. The board is scheduled to formally approve his departure at a meeting on 5 November.
Three senior departures in a matter of days
Roussier resigned after the decision was made to remove Digard from his coaching duties. Sport365, citing a source close to the club, reported that the president disagreed with the shareholders’ decision to part ways with the manager.
Ba’s reported exit now leaves another senior position open. The 41-year-old joined Le Havre after three seasons in football management at USL Dunkerque. His appointment was meant to follow the work of Mathieu Bodmer, who left the sporting director role in May. Bodmer had previously expressed dissatisfaction with internal matters at the club, which raised questions about his relationship with the new owners.
Quentin Rauzier, who arrived at Le Havre during the summer as an assistant sporting director, has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Ba. However, the club has not officially confirmed his appointment.
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Blue Crow takes control of the club’s operations
Following the announcements regarding Roussier and Digard, Blue Crow confirmed that managing director Yacine Alaoui will oversee both the administrative and sporting activities of Le Havre. Alaoui will work under the direct responsibility of the board. The ownership group also said it would appoint a new president-director general soon.
Jaïr Karam, who previously worked as the club’s academy director, has stepped in to lead the first team on an interim basis following Digard’s suspension. He takes over at a difficult point in the season for Le Havre. The team sits 18th in Ligue 1 with just two points from nine matches and has yet to win a league game. They have lost their last five matches and conceded 20 goals.
Karam faces his first major test on 8 November, when Le Havre host Lorient. They will then travel to play Troyes on 20 November in another important match in their fight to stay in the top division.
