Le Mans Football Club (; commonly referred to as Le Mans FC) is a

French French may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France ** French people, a nation and ethnic group ** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices Arts and media * The French (band), ...

professional

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...

club based in

Le Mans Le Mans (; ) is a Communes of France, city in Northwestern France on the Sarthe (river), Sarthe River where it meets the Huisne. Traditionally the capital of the Provinces of France, province of Maine (province), Maine, it is now the capital of ...

. The club set to compete in

Ligue 2 Ligue 2 (, League 2), also known as Ligue 2 BKT due to sponsorship reasons, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Prof ...

from 2025–26, the second tier of French football after promotion from

Championnat National The Championnat National (), commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, is the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. Contested by 18 clubs, the Championnat National operates on a system of ...

in 2024–25. The club was founded in 1985 as a result of a merger under the name Le Mans Union Club 72 (abbreviated as MUC 72). In 2010, Le Mans changed its name to Le Mans FC to coincide with the re-modeling of the club, which includes moving into a new stadium, the Stade Marie-Marvingt, which opened in January 2011. The stadium is based in the interior of the

Circuit de la Sarthe The Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans, also known as Circuit de la Sarthe (after the 1906 French Grand Prix triangle circuit) located in Le Mans, Sarthe, France, is a semi-permanent motorsport race course, chiefly known as the venue for the 24 H ...

, a famous circuit in the city. The club were controversially relegated from

2019–20 Ligue 2 The 2019–20 Ligue 2 (referred to as the Domino's Ligue 2 for sponsorship reasons) season was the 81st season since its establishment. The season was suspended indefinitely on 12 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On 28 April 2020, the F ...

when the season was terminated early due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

History

Le Mans Sports Club were founded in 1900, but it was not until 1908 that a

club existed within it. Le Mans qualified for the Championnat de la France in 1910, but were heavily overturned by Saint-Servan. Gaining a huge reputation up to World War I, Le Mans SC plunged into obscurity by World War II before joining the war league in 1942. The football section of Union Sportive du Mans was founded in 1903. The current club was formed as a result of a merger between Union Sportive du Mans and Le Mans Sports Club, on 12 June 1985. Upon its foundation, former football player Bernard Deferrez was installed as manager. Le Mans UC spent the majority of its infancy in Ligue 2. In the 2003–04 season, the club achieved promotion to

Ligue 1 Ligue 1 (; ), officially known as Ligue 1 McDonald's France, McDonald's for sponsorship reasons, is a professional association football league in France and the highest level of the French football league system. Administered by the Ligue de ...

for the first time, but were immediately relegated. Le Mans returned to the first division for the 2005–06 season and successfully remained in the league for the next four seasons. The club suffered relegation back to Ligue 2 in the 2009–10 season. Midway through the campaign, on 2 December 2009, Le Mans announced that it was changing its name from Le Mans Union Club 72 to Le Mans FC. Le Mans moved to the MMArena midway through the 2010–11 season, comfortably in the promotion spots for a return to Ligue 1, but a bad run sees them finish 4th, missing promotion on goal difference. The failure to achieve promotion is costly, as the club sees its payroll limited by the DNCG. Many players left, and relegation was only narrowly avoided. The club survived by appeal an attempt by DNCG to relegate them to

. The following

season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...

they were relegated on the field, and a long summer of legal battles saw them liquidated and reforming in

Maine (province) Maine () is one of the traditional provinces of France. It corresponds to the former County of Maine, whose capital was also the city of Le Mans. The area, now divided into the departments of Sarthe and Mayenne, has about 857,000 inhabitants. ...

Division d'Honneur as an amateur club. Promotion to

Championnat de France Amateur 2 The Championnat National 3, commonly referred to as simply National 3 and formerly known as Championnat de France Amateur 2, is a football league competition. The league serves as the fifth division of the French football league system behind ...

was achieved on the first attempt, and promotion from that division was only narrowly missed in 2014–15 and 2015–16. On the third attempt, promotion to the new

Championnat National 2 The Championnat National 2, commonly known as National 2 and formerly known as Championnat de France Amateur (CFA), is a Association football, football league competition. The league serves as the fourth tier of French football league system be ...

was obtained in 2016–17, when Le Mans finished as one of the best runners up in the competition. Le Mans was promoted for the second season in a row winning

Group D Group D may refer to: * FIA Group D - International Formula racing cars: ** Formula Two ** Formula Three ** Formula 3000 * One of six or eight groups of four teams competing at the FIFA World Cup ** 2022 FIFA World Cup Group D ** 2018 FIFA Worl ...

and being promoted to the

2018–19 Championnat National The 2018–19 Championnat National season was the 21st season since the establishment of the Championnat National, which serves as the third division of the French football league system. Team changes To National Promoted from National 2 * M ...

, the club would achieve a third consecutive promotion after successfully overcoming

Gazélec Ajaccio Gazélec Football Club Ajaccio (), commonly referred to as GFC Ajaccio, GFCA, Gazélec Ajaccio or simply Gazélec (), is a French football club from Ajaccio, Corsica. Founded in 1910, Gazélec played one season in Ligue 1 in the 2015–16 seaso ...

in the

relegation play-off final with a 3-2 aggregate score, swapping places with the Corsican club who, only three years before had been members of the top-flight themselves. The club were in 19th place in Ligue 2 when the season was terminated early due to the

. Despite the club supporting an LFP proposal which would have seen Ligue 2 operate temporarily with 22 clubs, meaning they would stay in the division, the FFF ruled on 27 May 2020 that they were to be relegated to

. On 17 May 2025, Le Mans secured promotion to

from next season after win against FC Versailles 2–0 in Final matchweek and return to second tier after five years absence.

Players

Current squad

''As of 2 February 2025.''

Notable players

Below are the notable former players who have represented Le Mans and its predecessors in

league League or The League may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Leagues'' (band), an American rock band * ''The League'', an American sitcom broadcast on FX and FXX about fantasy football * ''League of Legends'', a 2009 multiplayer online battle a ...

and international competition since the club's foundation in 1985. To appear in the section below, a player must have played in at least 100 official matches for the club. ''For a complete list of Le Mans players, see :Le Mans FC players'' * Arnaud Denis *

Ludovic Baal Ludovic Baal (born 24 May 1986) is a French Guianan professional Association football, footballer who plays as a Defender (association football)#Full-back, left-back for the French Guiana national football team, French Guiana team. Club career ...

* Dagui Bakari *

Ismaël Bangoura Ismaël Bangoura (born 2 January 1985) is a Guinean former footballer who played as a forward. Although his primary position is striker, Bangoura has also played as a winger and attacking midfielder. Club career Early career Bangoura bega ...

Marko Baša Marko Baša ( sr-Cyrl, Марко Баша, ; born 29 December 1982) is a Montenegrin retired professional footballer who played as a centre back. Club career Lille On 23 June 2011, Baša returned to France after three years in Russia with Lo ...

* Régis Beunardeau * Willy Bolivard *

Laurent Bonnart Laurent Noël Bonnart (born 25 December 1979) is a French former professional footballer who played as a full-back. Career Born in Chambray-lès-Tours, Indre-et-Loire, Bonnart began his career with Le Mans UC72, he became a regular in the team ...

* Grégory Cerdan *

Sébastien Corchia Sébastien Mathieu Corchia (; born 1 November 1990) is a French professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Amiens. A French international, he gained one cap in 2016. Due to his French and Italian ancestry, Corchia holds dual national ...

* Daniel Cousin *

Mathieu Coutadeur Mathieu Coutadeur (born 20 March 1986) is a French former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Club career Coutadeur played for his hometown club Le Mans between 2005 and 2009. He played an important role in Le Mans' 2007–08 ...

* Vincent Créhin *

Joffrey Cuffaut Joffrey Cuffaut (born 15 March 1988) is a French professional footballer who plays as a right-back In the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to stop attacks during the game and prevent the ...

* Thomas Dasquet * Tulio De Melo *

Stéphane Diarra Stéphane Diarra (born 9 December 1998) is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a winger for club Lorient. Career Diarra made his senior debut for Évian during the 2015–16 Ligue 2 season, and then joined Rennes in July 2016. He ...

* Moussa Doumbia *

Didier Drogba Didier Yves Drogba Tébily (; born 11 March 1978) is an Ivorian former professional association football, footballer who played as a striker (association football), striker. He is the Top international association football goal scorers by cou ...

* Tom Duponchelle * Romain Dupont *

Dan Eggen Dan Eggen (born 13 January 1970) is a Norwegian football manager and former player. He has previously coached KFUM Oslo and Kolbotn in the Norwegian Premier League for women. He was capped 25 times for Norway, scoring two goals. Career Da ...

* Patrick Ekeng Ekeng * James Fanchone * Thibault Ferrand * Yannick Fischer * Thierry Froger * Eric Garcin *

Antônio Géder Antônio Géder Malta Camilo (born 23 April 1978 in Recreio, Minas Gerais), known as Géder, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a defender. Géder joined Russian side Saturn Moscow Oblast in 2003 after spending five s ...

Gervinho Gervais Yao Kouassi (born 27 May 1987), known as Gervinho, is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a forward. Gervinho began his career at ASEC Abidjan and Toumodi, before moving to Belgium in 2004 to play for Beveren. Between 2007 ...

Grafite Edinaldo Batista Libânio (born 2 April 1979), commonly known as Grafite (pronounced ), is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a striker. He currently works as a pundit for TV Globo and SporTV. In 2005, Grafite won the C ...

* Hamza Hafidi *

Yohan Hautcoeur Yohan may refer to: *Yohan (name) Yohan is a male given name of many origins. Yohan is a Hebrew given name, which was adopted as John. Similarly Yohanan was adopted as Jonathan. Notable people with the name include: * Yohan Benalouane (born 19 ...

Thorstein Helstad Thorstein Helstad (born 28 April 1977) is a Norwegian former professional footballer who played as a centre-forward. Helstad is currently 1.87m (6 ft 2 inches) tall. Career Helstad was born in Hamar, Norway and started his career in his l ...

Roland Lamah Roland Conde Lamah (born 31 December 1987) is a former professional footballer who played as a left winger. Born in the Ivory Coast, Lamah represents Belgium internationally. Club career Early years and Osasuna Born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, La ...

* Pierre Lemonnier *

Anthony Le Tallec Anthony Le Tallec (born 3 October 1984) is a French former professional footballer who played as a forward or an attacking midfielder for Liverpool, Sochaux, and Annecy FC. Club career Liverpool Born in Hennebont, Le Tallec was signed from Le H ...

Cyriaque Louvion Cyriaque Louvion (born 24 July 1987) is a French professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Championnat National 3 club Thonon Evian. Club career On 8 August 2019, Louvion left Tours to join Thonon Evian. Honours Thonon Evian ...

Modibo Maïga Modibo Maïga (born 3 September 1987) is a Malian professional association football, footballer who plays as a Striker (association football), striker. A full international for Mali since 2007, he was part of their squads at the four Africa Cup ...

Daisuke Matsui is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He previously played for the Japan national team. His wife is Japanese actress Rosa Kato. Club career Early years In 2000, Matsui graduated from and began his profess ...

Didier Ovono Didier Janvier Ovono Ebang (born 23 January 1983) is a Gabonese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Championnat National 2 club Saumur. Club career In 2008, Ovono won the Georgian League with FC Dinamo Tbilisi. On 22 June 2009 ...

* Fabrice Pancrate * Pierre Patron * Olivier Pédémas *

Yohann Pelé Yohann Denis Patrick Pelé (born 4 November 1982) is a French former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Club career Le Mans Born in Brou-sur-Chantereine, Seine-et-Marne, Pelé spent most of his career at Le Mans, making his deb ...

* Christian Penaud * Laurent Peyrelade * Yoann Poulard *

Réginald Ray Réginald Ray (born 31 October 1968) is a French football manager and former player. Ray spent the majority of his 15-year career in the French lower divisions. In 1991, while playing in the Championnat National with Montceau, he was the lea ...

* Romaric * Stéphane Samson *

Morgan Sanson Morgan Stéphane Sanson (born 18 August 1994) is a French professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Ligue 1 club Nice. Early life Sanson was born in Saint-Doulchard, Cher. Club career Le Mans Ahead of the 2012–13 season, Sanson ...

Stéphane Sessègnon Stéphane Sessègnon (born 1 June 1984) is a Beninese professional Association football, footballer who last played for Sirens F.C., Sirens in the Maltese Premier League. He is a Benin national football team, Benin international, having repres ...

Jacques Songo'o Jacques Celestin Songo'o (born 17 March 1964) is a Cameroonian former professional football goalkeeper who is the current goalkeeping coach of the Cameroon national team. He spent the vast majority of his professional career in France and Spa ...

* Mamadou Soro *

Fredrik Strømstad Fredrik Strømstad (born 20 January 1982) is a Norwegian football player. Career In 2002, he was loaned to Bærum SK and helped them win promotion to the Norwegian First Division. He signed for the French club Le Mans Union Club 72 on June 13 ...

* Frédéric Thomas *

Olivier Thomas Olivier Thomas (born 6 October 1974) is a French former professional footballer who played as a defender. Career Thomas was born in Saint-Denis, Paris. He counts Le Mans UC 72, AS Nancy, Troyes AC, FC Nantes Atlantique and AC Ajaccio as hi ...

* Olivier Thomert * Patrick Van Kets * Alexandre Vardin * Stéphen Vincent *

Hassan Yebda Hassan Yebda (; born 14 May 1984) is a former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder. During his professional career, he played in France, Portugal, England, Italy and Spain, representing a host of clubs. Yebda appeared for ...

* Zito

Former managers

Honours

* Division d'Honneur Ouest ** Winners: 1961, 1965 * Division d'Honneur Maine **Winners: 2014 *

Coupe Gambardella The Coupe Gambardella is a French football cup competition held between the under-18s of the French football clubs, organized by the French Football Federation (FFF). The cup is regarded as an opportunity for young hopefuls to showcase their s ...

** Winners:

2004 2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and Its Abolition (by UNESCO). Events January * January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight 60 ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Le Mans Fc Association football clubs established in 1985 1985 establishments in France Football clubs in Pays de la Loire Ligue 1 clubs