The Hidden Gem of French Football: The Rise of RC Lens

Eurotales Football Podcast

Today, we're talking about one of the most inspiring underdog tales in European football - the story of RC Lens. with renowned French football expert Robin Bairner (X- @RBairner) . You may have heard about other underdog teams like Brighton and Leverkusen, but do you know about the remarkable journey of this club from the north of France?

The brilliance of Brighton and Leverkusen is well-known, but do RC Lens get the credit they deserve? Maybe their story gets lost in the constant news cycle, but today we're going to shed light on this incredible club.

RC Lens has humble beginnings, coming from a mining town that is infused with a hardworking ethos. The club has strong ties with Polish immigrants who came to France to work in the coal mining sector. And just like any other football club, Lens has a symbiotic relationship with its geographical area and supporters.

Built on hard work, Lens may not have the riches of other French giants like Nice, Monaco, or PSG, but they have proven time and time again that the collective is greater than the individual. Despite facing financial challenges, Lens has managed to hold their own against these wealthy clubs.

In the 90s, Lens even won the Ligue1 title in 1998 and competed in Europe against the likes of Bayern Munich and AC Milan. And although they faced some setbacks in the years that followed, their promotion back to the top division in 2019 marked the start of their gradual progress under the guidance of their fantastic manager, Franch Haise.

What's even more impressive is Lens' ability to challenge the big boys, despite losing key players every transfer window. Last season, they finished just one point behind Kylian Mbappe's PSG and secured a Champions League spot, but unfortunately, they still lost some of their star players.

But the Lens way is shining through once again this season. Their remarkable ability to absorb player departures and adapt is truly remarkable. They pull off player recruitment masterstrokes too often for it to be a fluke there is a reason Liverpool are being linked with the their magnificent manager Franck Haise and former director Florent Ghisolfi.

Can they repeat the trick and qualify for Champions League again?

Follow Eurotales on twitter - @Eurotalespod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices