RC Lens have ended Dino Toppmoller’s time as head coach after only six matches in charge, with the Ligue 1 club announcing the decision on Tuesday.
The midfielder-turned-manager’s departure was agreed by both parties after discussions about the squad and the structure of his coaching staff. Lens said they had proposed changes to the organisation of the coaching set-up, but Toppmoller was unable to accept them.
“In a spirit of mutual respect, Racing Club de Lens and Dino Toppmoller announce, by mutual agreement, the end of their collaboration,” the club said in a statement.
Lens added: “As Dino Toppmoller could not agree to these structural changes, the Club, acting responsibly, has decided to bring his role to an end, as well as that of his two assistants.”
The 45-year-old German was appointed in June after Pierre Sage left Lens to join Premier League side Crystal Palace. Sage had guided the club to a historic French Cup triumph and a second-place finish in Ligue 1.
Toppmoller had been contracted until 2028 and began his tenure with an impressive 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Trophee des Champions last month.
However, Lens won only one of their opening four Ligue 1 matches under him. They made a winning start to their Champions League campaign by beating Slavia Prague 3-2 in a dramatic match.
The club are 10th in the Ligue 1 table before Friday’s trip to Monaco. Yannick Cahuzac, who had served as Toppmoller’s assistant, will take charge from the dugout for that fixture.