Ten years after Rudi Garcia guided a Lille team that had a young Eden Hazard, Moussa Sow, Gervinho, Yohan Cabaye, Mathieu Debuchy, and others in their ranks to success in Ligue 1, Christopher Gaitler has taken another talented crop to the promised land. This 2020/2021 season will go down in history as one of the most exhilarating campaigns in the modern history of the competition but, in the end, Les Dogue did enough to finally secure a deserving coronation.
Unlike in year past where former titleholders Paris Saint-Germain strolled comfortably to the trophy with very little resistance, the fate of the league table was decided on the final day of this term. For starters, Les Parisians' 2-0 win over Stade Brest proved to be insufficient in the bid for a final day miracle following Lille's 2-1 away win over Angers. The result meant that the former Ligue 1 title holders missed out on retaining their crown for the fourth time in a row by just a point, with Gaitler's men finishing the campaign on 83 points.
Meanwhile, the race for a Champions League place deserves an honorable mention with AS Monaco stealing a seat at the table following Olympique Lyon's shortcomings. The latter collapsed to a disappointing 3-2 defeat at home to Nice and saw their chances slip down the drain despite Monaco's 0-0 draw with RC Lens.
Top five teams in 2020/2021 Ligue 1 season
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Top goalscorer in the 2020/2021 Ligue 1 season
In the end, it was no race at all with Kylian Mbappe deservedly securing the gong as the Ligue 1's topscorer. The 22-year-old Frenchman hit 27 goals in 31 appearances to run away with the accolade, in what is his second most-productive season in his professional career. Lyon skipper and want-away star Memphis Depay finished as the first runner-up woth 20 goals, with AS Monaco's Wissam Ben-Yedder completing the top three with the same tally as well.
Ligue 1: Top headlines
Rudi Garcia to leave Lyon, Gaitler emerges as favorite to fill post: Lyon manager Rudi Garcia has been told that his services will not be needed anymore when his contract expires on June 30th. The French football manager was made aware of this development after meeting the club's hierarchy on Monday, barely 24 hours after missing out on a Champions League qualification spot in the final league game. Christoper Gaitler, who fired Lille to the title this season has been identified as a potential replacement with the coach also reportedly close to joining Nice.
Barcelona closes in on Memphis Depay's signing: La Liga giants FC Barcelona are expected to complete the signing of Lyon skipper Memphis Depay as a free agent with his contract expiring in June. The Dutch attacker, who finished as the Ligue 1's second highest top-scorer has been on the radar of the Spanish club and is expected to join before the Euros start.
PSG owner rules out Mbappe's sale: Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has revealed that he's unfazed about Kylian Mbappe's future, despite the fact that his star forward is heading into the final year of his current contract. The French superstar's current deal runs until June 2022, meaning that could feasibly leave on a free transfer with Real Madrid interested in securing his service.
