The 2015–16 Ligue 2 season was the 77th season since its establishment.

Ligue 2
Season2015–16
ChampionsNancy
PromotedNancy
Dijon
Metz
RelegatedÉvian
Créteil
Paris
Matches played380
Goals scored875 (2.3 per match)
Top goalscorerFamara Diedhiou (Clermont) (21 goals)
Longest winning run6 games
Dijon
Longest unbeaten run15 games
Dijon
Longest winless run28 games
Paris
Longest losing run5 games
Évian
Highest attendance36,254
Lens - Valenciennes
Average attendance7,118

Teams

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There are 20 clubs in the league, with three promoted teams from Championnat National replacing the three teams that were relegated to the same level, and three relegated teams from Ligue 1 replacing the three teams that were promoted to the same level. All clubs that secured Ligue 2 status for the season were subject to approval by the DNCG before becoming eligible to participate.

The first team to officially join the division for the 2015–16 was Lens, who were relegated from Ligue 1 on 2 May 2015 as results on the day went against them.[1] They were joined a week later by Metz, after a 4–0 home defeat against Lorient.[2] The last relegated club were Evian after a 2-1 defeat on 16 May 2015.[3]

Red Star were the first team promoted from National, after a 4–0 victory against Istres on 8 May 2015, marking their return to the professional levels after sixteen years in the amateur leagues.[4] Paris FC and Bourg-Péronnas only gained the right to promote on the last day of the season, when Paris FC drew 0–0 against CA Bastia and Bourg-Péronnas won 1–0 against Boulogne.[5]

Only 2 teams were planned to be promoted and relegated this season[6] but the decision was later overturned by an appeal to the Conseil d'État[7] and the French Football Federation.[8][9]

Stadia and locations

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Club Location Venue Capacity
Ajaccio Ajaccio Stade François Coty 10,660
Auxerre Auxerre Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps 21,379
Bourg-en-Bresse Bourg-en-Bresse Stade Marcel-Verchère1 11,400
Brest Brest Stade Francis-Le Blé 15,097
Clermont Foot Clermont-Ferrand Stade Gabriel Montpied 11,980
Créteil Créteil Stade Dominique Duvauchelle 12,050
Dijon Dijon Stade Gaston Gérard 16,098
Évian Annecy Parc des Sports 15,660
Laval Laval Stade Francis Le Basser 18,607
Le Havre Le Havre Stade Océane 25,000
Lens Lens Stade Bollaert-Delelis 35,000
Metz Metz Stade Saint-Symphorien 24,500
Nancy Tomblaine Stade Marcel Picot 20,087
Nîmes Nîmes Stade des Costières 18,482
Niort Niort Stade René Gaillard 10,886
Paris Paris Stade Sébastien Charléty 20,000
Red Star Saint-Ouen Stade Pierre Brisson2 10,178
Sochaux Montbéliard Stade Auguste Bonal 20,000
Tours Tours Stade de la Vallée du Cher 16,247
Valenciennes Valenciennes Stade du Hainaut 25,172

Personnel and kits

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Team Manager1 Captain1 Kit Manufacturer1 Main Sponsor1
Ajaccio   Olivier Pantaloni   Johan Cavalli Macron Suite Home
Auxerre   Jean-Luc Vannuchi   Sébastien Puygrenier Airness Remarques LOUALT,Vitrans
Bourg-en-Bresse   Hervé Della Maggiore   Yannick Goyon adidas BestDrive
Brest   Alex Dupont   Bruno Grougi Nike Quéguiner
Clermont   Corinne Diacre   Cédric Avinel Patrick Crédit Mutuel
Créteil   Laurent Roussey   Jean-Michel Lesage adidas SFB Béton,Holcim
Dijon   Olivier Dall'Oglio   Cédric Varrault Kappa DVF, Doras,IPS
Evian   Romain Revelli   Olivier Sorlin Kappa MSC Croisières
Laval   Denis Zanko   Anthony Gonçalves Kappa Lactel
Le Havre   Bob Bradley   Yohann Rivière Nike Api
Lens   Antoine Kombouaré   Pablo Chavarría Umbro Azerbaijan: Land of Fire
Metz   Philippe Hinschberger   Kevin Lejeune Nike Moselle|
Nancy   Pablo Correa   Youssouf Hadji Nike Dane Elec
Nîmes   Bernard Blaquart   Toifilou Maoulida Erreà Marie Blachère
Niort   Denis Renaud   Jimmy Roye Puma Restaurant Le Billon (home), Cheminées Poujoulat (away)
Paris   Jean-Luc Vasseur   Hervé Libohy Nike Vinci
Red Star   Rui Almeida   Vincent Planté adidas
Sochaux   Albert Cartier   Matheus Vivian Lotto Peugeot
Tours   Marco Simone   Bryan Bergougnoux Nike Corsicatours
Valenciennes   Faruk Hadžibegić   Yunis Abdelhamid Uhlsport GDE Recyclage

1Subject to change during the season.

Managerial changes

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Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Paris FC   Christophe Taine Mutual consent 4 June 2015[12] Pre-season   Denis Renaud 5 June 2015[13]
Red Star   Sébastien Robert 6 June 2015[14]   Rui Almeida 12 June 2015[15]
FC Metz   Albert Cartier 16 June 2015[16]   José Riga 16 June 2015[17]
Tours   Gilbert Zoonekynd 25 June 2015[18]   Marco Simone 25 June 2015[19]
Evian   Pascal Dupraz 11 July 2015   Safet Sušić 11 July 2015[20]
Sochaux   Olivier Echouafni Sacked 12 September 2015[21] 18th   Albert Cartier 3 October 2015[22]
Le Havre AC   Thierry Goudet Sacked 28 September 2015[23] 15th   Bob Bradley 10 November 2015[24]
Nîmes   José Pasqualetti Resigned 21 November 2015[25] 20th   Bernard Blaquart 1 December 2015[26]
Paris FC   Denis Renaud Sacked 28 November 2015[27] 18th   Jean-Luc Vasseur 29 November 2015[28]
Créteil   Thierry Froger Sacked 9 December 2015[29] 14th   Laurent Roussey 9 December 2015
FC Metz   José Riga Mutual consent 23 December 2015[30] 6th   Philippe Hinschberger 24 December 2015[31]
Valenciennes   David Le Frapper Sacked 28 December 2015[32] 17th   Faruk Hadžibegić 15 January 2016[33]
Evian   Safet Sušić Sacked 11 January 2016[34] 13th   Romain Revelli 11 January 2016
Niort   Régis Brouard Sacked 29 February 2016[35] 17th   Denis Renaud 9 May 2016[36]

League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or Relegation
1 Nancy (C, P) 38 21 11 6 60 32 +28 74 Promotion to Ligue 1
2 Dijon (P) 38 20 10 8 62 36 +26 70
3 Metz (P) 38 19 8 11 54 39 +15 65
4 Le Havre 38 19 8 11 52 37 +15 65
5 Red Star 38 18 10 10 43 38 +5 64
6 Lens 38 15 13 10 39 35 +4 58
7 Clermont Foot 38 16 10 12 56 53 +3 58
8 Auxerre 38 15 10 13 47 46 +1 55
9 Tours 38 11 14 13 36 41 −5 47
10 Brest 38 12 11 15 34 41 −7 47
11 Bourg-en-Bresse 38 13 8 17 47 59 −12 47
12 Valenciennes 38 10 14 14 39 43 −4 44
13 Laval 38 9 17 12 35 42 −7 44
14 Nîmes[a] 38 13 12 13 50 52 −2 43
15 Sochaux 38 9 15 14 34 36 −2 42
16 Niort 38 8 18 12 38 45 −7 42
17 Ajaccio 38 9 15 14 34 42 −8 42
18 Evian[b] (R, D) 38 9 12 17 41 41 0 39 Demotion to Division d'Honneur Régionale
19 Créteil (R) 38 8 10 20 42 66 −24 34 Relegation to Championnat National
20 Paris FC (R) 38 4 18 16 32 51 −19 30
Source: Ligue 2
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) head-to-head goal difference; 5) fair play points
(C) Champions; (D) Disqualified; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ Nîmes was docked 8 points for match fixing in the 2013–14 season.[37]
  2. ^ Evian was demoted due to financial difficulties.[38]

Results

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Home \ Away ACA AUX BPE BRE CLE CRE DIJ ETG LAV HAC LEN MET NAL NIM NIO PFC RS SOC TOU VAL
Ajaccio 1–0 2–0 2–1 3–1 3–0 0–0 1–1 0–0 1–1 1–1 0–1 2–1 2–0 2–0 0–0 1–2 0–2 1–2 1–1
Auxerre 0–0 1–2 0–0 1–0 3–1 2–0 3–1 2–3 1–3 1–2 4–0 2–2 1–0 1–1 2–0 0–1 2–1 2–1 1–1
Bourg-en-Bresse 3–0 1–1 3–1 1–2 5–1 2–1 0–2 0–0 1–3 2–1 0–3 2–0 4–2 2–1 4–1 0–1 2–1 0–2 0–0
Brest 1–0 0–0 2–1 1–2 2–1 0–0 0–2 0–0 0–0 2–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–0 0–1 1–0 3–0 1–2
Clermont Foot 2–1 1–2 3–2 2–0 1–0 2–3 4–1 4–1 2–1 2–2 2–1 1–2 1–0 2–1 1–1 0–2 0–0 0–1 2–0
Créteil 2–2 1–0 2–1 0–2 0–3 0–1 0–0 0–0 2–1 1–1 1–2 0–3 1–2 2–3 0–0 2–4 1–1 2–2 0–1
Dijon 2–0 0–0 3–0 3–1 4–1 4–1 1–3 2–0 2–1 2–0 0–4 0–0 0–1 3–0 3–0 0–0 2–2 3–0 1–0
Evian Thonon Gaillard 0–2 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–2 1–2 0–0 1–1 2–1 0–1 0–1 4–1 0–0 1–0 0–1 0–0 0–0 4–0
Laval 0–0 4–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–2 2–1 0–1 1–1 0–1 0–1 3–2 0–0 3–1 2–1 1–2 1–1 0–3
Le Havre 1–0 1–0 5–0 0–0 0–1 1–0 0–2 3–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–3 3–1 0–0 2–1 0–2 2–1 2–0 3–2
Lens 2–0 3–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–0 1–1 0–4 1–0 1–0 1–0 1–1 0–1 1–1 1–0 1–1 0–1
Metz 3–2 0–1 5–0 2–2 2–2 2–1 1–2 2–1 1–0 0–1 0–0 0–0 1–2 2–0 2–1 2–0 1–0 2–1 2–0
Nancy 3–0 0–1 3–1 3–0 3–1 1–0 3–1 1–0 1–0 3–1 1–0 2–2 3–4 1–1 3–2 2–0 1–0 0–0 1–0
Nîmes 0–0 2–1 1–1 2–0 6–2 1–3 1–1 0–0 1–1 2–2 4–2 2–1 2–2 1–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–1 2–0
Niort 3–1 2–3 0–0 1–2 1–1 4–2 2–2 0–3 0–1 0–0 0–1 1–1 0–0 1–0 2–1 0–0 1–1 0–0 0–1
Paris 0–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–0 2–2 0–3 0–0 1–1 3–0 0–1 1–2 1–1 0–0 1–1 0–1 0–0 1–3 1–4
Red Star 1–1 0–2 1–0 1–0 2–1 0–1 3–2 2–2 2–0 2–1 1–2 3–1 0–1 1–0 0–2 2–4 0–0 1–1 1–5
Sochaux 3–0 2–3 1–1 2–1 2–0 0–3 0–1 1–0 0–0 1–0 0–0 0–1 2–2 0–0 2–3 1–1 1–2 0–0 1–0
Tours 1–1 3–1 0–1 2–1 1–1 1–2 1–0 2–1 1–1 0–1 0–1 2–0 2–5 1–2 1–2 0–0 0–0 1–0 1–0
Valenciennes 1–1 0–0 1–1 0–1 1–2 2–2 1–3 1–0 0–0 0–1 0–1 2–1 1–0 2–2 3–3 1–1 0–0 2–2 0–0
Source: Ligue 2
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Season statistics

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Top goalscorers

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As of matches played on 13 May 2016.
Rank Player Club Goals
1   Famara Diedhiou Clermont 21
2   Lys Mousset Le Havre 14
3   Maurice Dalé Nancy 13
  Ande Dona Ndoh Niort
5   Pape Sané Bourg-Pérronas 12
  Yeni Ngbakoto Metz

Source: Official Goalscorers' Standings

References

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  1. ^ "Lens mathématiquement relégué en Ligue 2" (in French). lequipe.fr. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  2. ^ "Metz officiellement relégué" (in French). lequipe.fr. 9 May 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  3. ^ "PSG claim third straight French title, Evian relegated". fifa.com. 16 May 2015. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  4. ^ "Le Red Star monte en L2, Paris FC n'est plus loin!" (in French). lequipe.fr. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  5. ^ Baudu, Gil (22 May 2015). "National : Le Paris FC et Bourg-Péronnas prennent l'ascenseur pour la L2, Strasbourg reste à quai". FranceTV Sport. France Télévisions SA. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  6. ^ "Ligue 1 reduces relegation spots from three to two from next season".
  7. ^ "Ligue 1 relegation places stay at three, uncertainty continues".
  8. ^ "Le référé de la LFP rejeté". Le Figaro.fr (in French). 14 August 2015.
  9. ^ "Ligue 1/Ligue 2 : Il y aura bien trois rélégations/Promotions". 2016-02-03.
  10. ^ "Signature d'une convention avec Gueugnon" (in French). fcbourgperonnas.fr. Archived from the original on 25 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  11. ^ "Beauvais, lieu du principal stade de repli" (in French). redstar.fr. 7 July 2015. Archived from the original on 15 July 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  12. ^ "Le Paris FC et Christophe Taine se séparent" (in French). parisfootballclub.com. 4 June 2015. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  13. ^ "Denis Renaud nouvel entraîneur du Paris FC" (in French). parisfootballclub.com. 5 June 2015. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  14. ^ "Une montée en L2, ce n'est qu'une étape" (in French). redstar.fr. 6 June 2015. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  15. ^ "Rui Almeida, entraîneur du Red Star" (in French). redstar.fr. 12 June 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  16. ^ "Albert Cartier n'est plus l'entraîneur des Grenats" (in French). fcmetz.com. 16 June 2015. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  17. ^ "José Riga, nouvel entraîneur du FC Metz" (in French). fcmetz.com. 16 June 2015. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  18. ^ "Un nouveau staff technique" (in French). ac-ajaccio.com. 26 June 2015. Archived from the original on 30 June 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  19. ^ "Marco Simone, nouvel entraineur du Tours FC !" (in French). toursfc.fr. 25 June 2015. Archived from the original on 30 June 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  20. ^ "Susic nouveau coach d'Evian" (in French). Le Figaro. 11 July 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  21. ^ "Sochaux se sépare d'Echouafni" (in French). Le Figaro. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  22. ^ "Albert Cartier officiellement entraîneur de Sochaux" (in French). Le Figaro. 3 October 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  23. ^ "Goudet limogé par Le Havre" (in French). Le Figaro. 28 September 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  24. ^ "Bob Bradley nouvel entraîneur du Havre" (in French). Le Figaro. 10 November 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  25. ^ "Nîmes : Pasqualetti démissionne pour raisons de santé" (in French). Le Figaro. 21 November 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  26. ^ "Blaquart confirmé sur le banc de Nîmes jusqu'à la trêve" (in French). Le Figaro. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  27. ^ "Vasseur, Casoni, Hantz au Paris FC ?" (in French). Le Figaro. 28 November 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  28. ^ "Jean-Luc Vasseur officiellement entraîneur du Paris FC" (in French). Le Figaro. 29 November 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  29. ^ "Créteil : Roussey remplace Froger comme entraîneur" (in French). Le Figaro. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  30. ^ "José Riga remercié par Metz" (in French). Le Figaro. 23 December 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  31. ^ "Philippe Hinschberger nouvel entraîneur de Metz (officiel)" (in French). Le Figaro. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  32. ^ "L'entraîneur de Valenciennes écarté" (in French). Le Figaro. 28 December 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  33. ^ "Hadzibegic nomme entraineur du VAFC" (in French). va-fc.com. 15 January 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  34. ^ "Evian se sépare de Safet Susic" (in French). Le Figaro. 11 January 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  35. ^ "Brouard licencié de Niort après une série de mauvais résultats" (in French). Le Figaro. 29 February 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  36. ^ "Denis Renaud nouvel entraîneur de Niort" (in French). Le Figaro. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  37. ^ "Nîmes Olympique - Décision de la commission supérieure d'appel de la FFF" (in French). fff.fr. 20 May 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  38. ^ "Evian-Thonon confirmé administrativement en CFA". l'equipe.fr (in French). 13 July 2016.