Metz consider dismissing Luc Holtz as Ligue 2 rivals ASSE surge
Metz are poised to sack Luxembourg coach Luc Holtz after a dramatic 2‑2 draw with ASSE on 19 September, leaving the club with ten points from seven games and sitting fifth in Ligue 2. The result, which saw Metz recover from a 2‑0 deficit, failed to convince the board.
Metz's shaky start in Ligue 2
The Grenats entered the season hoping to play a leading role, yet their opening week fell short of expectations. After seven matchdays they have amassed ten points and occupy fifth place, a position that already lags behind the clubs targeting promotion.
The recent fixtures underline the club's difficulties. On 19 September Metz hosted ASSE, a clash of two ambitious sides, and were 2‑0 down before salvaging a point with a late equaliser. A few days earlier they fell 0‑1 to Red Star, further exposing frailties.
Holtz arrived in the summer on a two‑year deal that runs until 30 June 2028. L’Équipe reports the Luxembourgish manager could be dismissed early this week, provided the terms of his departure are agreed. The speed of the decision is striking given his recent arrival.
Club president Bernard Serin appears to have used the international break as a window to reassess the project. The modest point against ASSE, while positive on paper, was not enough to secure Holtz’s position. The board now faces a pivotal choice as the season unfolds.
Potential successors under consideration
Bernard Serin has reportedly earmarked former Metz player Gregory Proment, 47, as his preferred candidate. Proment knows the club’s environment and could be tasked with reviving a side still searching for identity. Names such as Belgian Frédéric Taquin and former midfielder Laurent Agouazi have also been linked, but Proment remains the frontrunner.
For the Les Verts, the development is significant: a direct Ligue 2 rival may change manager very early in the campaign, potentially altering the competitive balance. ASSE supporters will be watching closely to see whether Metz stabilises or continues its turbulence.
Should Proment take the helm, Metz will look to convert the ten‑point foundation into a stronger push for promotion, while ASSE will aim to maintain their own ascent. The early coaching shuffle underscores the fragile nature of ambitions in France’s second tier.