Niort are one of the more modest clubs in the second tier so should in theory not be too disappointed with a 12th-place finish that means they will be back for an eighth consecutive campaign at this level next season. However, it has been a trying year for Les Chamois in so many ways, with a campaign marked by the sudden departure of their coach in December.
Patrice Lair, the former coach of the women's teams at Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain, was an interesting appointment last summer at the Stade Rene-Gaillard and a strong start meant his side were sixth in the table approaching the midway point in the season. Then, all of a sudden, he was gone following an apparent disagreement with directors. It was a messy affair and it left its mark, even if Pascal Plancque - the former assistant to Claude Puel at Lille, Southampton and Leicester City - was named as the new coach in January. The fact is that Niort did not win any of the 17 league games that followed Lair's departure. Plancque did not get a first victory until his 15th match in charge, a 2-1 win at Valenciennes. Niort won just two of their last 21 league matches, with the other victory in that run coming at home to relegated Red Star on the final day.
Survival was not secured until May. It was a mess of a season in so many ways and it will be interesting to see what happens next. Will Plancque remain? Cameroonian striker Ande Dona Ndoh, the club captain and record goal-scorer, is leaving for second-tier rivals Nancy. He scored 13 league goals, reaching double figures for the fourth season in a row. Benin international Saturnin Allagbe was a consistent performer in goal, while Dylan Louiserre proved a solid recruit in midfield and Valentin Jacob enjoyed a fine breakthrough campaign. The 24-year-old came from lower-league Annecy and scored or set up seven goals from midfield. He could be rewarded with a move to a bigger club.
