Struggling Racing Lens name Boloni as coach

LENS (France): Laszlo Boloni was named coach of struggling Racing Lens in place of Jean-Guy Wallemme, club president Gervais Martel said on Sunday.

Wallemme told officials he wanted to step down after the last game before the winter break against Bordeaux, Martel said in a statement.

“Laszlo Boloni’s mission is to keep the team in Ligue 1. “We need to focus on avoiding relegation,” he told a press conference. “Jean-Guy told me he was no longer able to give new impetus.”

Boloni, 57, is a former Romania international. He has coached French clubs AS Nancy, Stade Rennes and Monaco and Belgium’s Standard Liege.

Wallemme, a former Lens player, had been coach since 2008. He helped the Northerners reach the top flight in his first year.