OGC Nice: Olivier Pantaloni sets the course to revive the Gym

Officially presented at the start of training, Olivier Pantaloni unveiled the main lines of his project for OGC Nice. The new coach wants to restore confidence to the squad, put the club’s values front and center, and rely on a team he considers to be of quality.

OGC Nice’s 2026-2027 season begins with a new face on the bench. During the resumption of training, Olivier Pantaloni took part in his first press conference as coach of the Gym. The coach was accompanied by president Maurice Cohen and sporting director Roger Ricort.

This return opened with an emotionally charged moment. The press room of the training center now bears the name of Éric Roy. The former midfielder, who passed away this summer at the age of 58, held several positions within the club. This choice pays tribute to a significant figure in Nice’s history.

For Olivier Pantaloni, joining OGC Nice represents an important step. Despite a renewal offer from FC Lorient, the coach chose to return to the Côte d’Azur: “when I was contacted by Nice’s management, for me, it was a huge opportunity to join a renowned, quality club.” The new coach also mentions a return to his roots, recalling that OGC Nice is the club where his professional football career began, forty years ago.

The priority is now clearly defined. After a difficult season, Olivier Pantaloni wants to rebuild a squad capable of starting over on solid foundations. “My mission will be to ensure that OGC Nice does not experience a second year as painful as the one it went through last season.”

The coach believes that the maintenance secured at the end of the season constitutes a foundation, while praising the efforts made by the players in a difficult context.

Commitment, respect and confidence at the heart of the project

Beyond results, Olivier Pantaloni wants to put the club’s identity back in focus. Commitment, rigor and demand are among the principles that will guide his work.

The new Aiglons coach believes that these values must become a reference in the dressing room in order to regain collective momentum that Claude Puel had tried to instill during the season. The notion of respect also holds a central place in his discourse. Respect for the club, the management, the various staff members, the employees who work daily, but also the supporters.

The coach also emphasizes the need to establish mutual trust with the players. A relationship that, according to him, comes through work and commitment from everyone: “trust in football as in all sports is very important and it also comes through obtaining good results.”

The recruitment of Laurent Abergel fits into this logic. Olivier Pantaloni sees in the former Lorient captain a natural leader, capable of bringing character and transmitting the staff’s demands within the dressing room. A player he has known for several years and who will undoubtedly be an important element this season.

Nice’s academy will also retain an important place in the sporting project. True to his habits, the coach who has worked at Ajaccio and Lorient promises to give young players a chance who meet expectations in terms of commitment and quality.

Regarding the squad, Olivier Pantaloni displays a certain serenity. The group possesses, according to him, the necessary qualities to bounce back. “Honestly, I think there is still a quality squad, that’s undeniable,” he explains before adding “there will certainly be some adjustments to make in certain areas of play, but again, we will take our time.” However, he assured that no decision will be made hastily.

Summer preparation will above all serve to transmit the playing principles of the new staff. “The most important thing will be to implement my principles, to make the players understand what I want on the pitch. There is enormous work because it takes time.” The objective is to build a team capable of quickly regaining confidence through good results at the start of the championship, without setting European objectives from now. The new coach prefers to focus his discourse on rebuilding the collective and the return of the values that have long shaped OGC Nice’s identity. “My objective is to ensure that the entire squad understands where I want to go, the playing ideas I want to develop, and that they embrace them and are capable of meeting the demands.”