Six competitive matches into a season already marked by a trophy in Paris and a dramatic European win in Prague, RC Lens are set for another abrupt change on the touchline. Dino Toppmöller is to lose his job after a dispute over the dismissal of his long-time assistant Nelson Morgado.
RC Lens prepare to part ways with Dino Toppmöller
The 45-year-old German arrived in Lens during the summer with the difficult task of following Pierre Sage, whose 2025-26 campaign ended with second place in Ligue 1 and Coupe de France success.
Toppmöller has overseen only six official fixtures. Lens have made an uneven start to their league season, recording one victory, one draw and two defeats, but their wider results included major early positives.
- Lens beat Paris Saint-Germain to win the Trophée des Champions.
- They opened their Champions League campaign with a 3-2 away victory over Slavia Prague.
- Those results came while several regular starters were unavailable.
The decision to remove Toppmöller is not understood to be based primarily on results on the pitch.
The Nelson Morgado dispute
Lens informed Toppmöller on Monday that Nelson Morgado, his closest member of staff, was being dismissed. The Portuguese assistant, 39, has worked alongside Toppmöller since 2017.
Morgado had reportedly caused friction within the club, particularly among French members of the technical staff. He was said to have demanded greater commitment and passion from colleagues, an approach that was not welcomed by everyone and ultimately cost him his role.
Loyalty to his assistant proves decisive
Toppmöller reportedly refused to accept the club’s decision over Morgado. He viewed the move as direct interference in an area that should fall under the head coach’s authority.
The former Eintracht Frankfurt coach, who also worked as an assistant at Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig, considered the situation highly unusual and unacceptable, with loyalty to Morgado central to his stance.
Lens have now chosen to end their relationship with Toppmöller as well, bringing a sudden finish to a tenure that lasted barely beyond the opening weeks of the French season.
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RC Lens set to sack Dino Toppmöller after Nelson Morgado dispute
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RC Lens are set to dismiss Dino Toppmöller after six matches, with his opposition to the removal of assistant Nelson Morgado at the centre of the decision.
