Lausanne-Sport Dismisses Manager Luka Elsner Following Poor Start
The Swiss club parted ways with the head coach after a difficult five-month tenure as INEOS continues to restructure its sporting portfolio.
FC Lausanne-Sport officially confirmed the departure of head coach Luka Elsner on Tuesday, marking the end of a brief five-month tenure. The decision comes as the Swiss club struggles at the bottom of the Swiss Super League table, having endured a challenging start to the current campaign.
Elsner, 44, was appointed to the role on June 1. During his time in charge, the team recorded eight losses across his first 12 league fixtures and participated in two domestic cup matches. The club stated that the decision to part ways was mutual, reached after extensive discussions regarding the current sporting situation.
In an official release, the club acknowledged Elsner's contributions, stating: "FC Lausanne-Sport wishes to emphasise the professionalism and commitment that Luka Elsner has demonstrated since his arrival." The statement further noted that his methodological approach and high standards helped develop the coaching staff, though the current results necessitated a change.
The managerial change occurs as INEOS, the chemical group co-owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, looks to streamline its sporting investments. Reports indicate that Ratcliffe has placed both Lausanne-Sport and the French club Nice up for sale as part of a broader effort to scale back multi-club operations in Europe.
While the focus in Switzerland remains on stabilizing the club, the situation has drawn parallels to the pressures facing Manchester United, where INEOS also holds a minority stake. Manager Michael Carrick is currently under scrutiny due to the team's inconsistent performance, which has left them in 17th place in the Premier League.
Tensions at Old Trafford remain high, with supporters recently staging protests against the ownership, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family. During a recent Champions League match against Roma, fans interrupted play by throwing balloons onto the pitch to voice their dissatisfaction while the team trailed 2-0.
Despite the off-field unrest, Manchester United managed a 3-2 comeback victory in that fixture, bolstered by a penalty from Bruno Fernandes and two goals from Matheus Cunha. While the result eased immediate concerns regarding the club's standing in the Champions League, the pressure on Carrick to improve domestic results remains significant as the board evaluates the future of the coaching staff.