Ligue 1 : Will Still returns to Auxerre in an electric atmosphere, Rennes unveils its 2026-2027 calendar, and OM in the race for Pablo Pagis

Ligue 1 remains buzzing as the 2026-2027 season approaches. Auxerre welcomes a young and ambitious coach, Will Still, amid tensions between the club’s management and a section of the supporters. Meanwhile, Stade Rennais has unveiled its schedule for the upcoming season, starting with a highly anticipated clash against PSG. Finally, Olympique de Marseille is active in the transfer market, targeting Ligue 1 striker Pablo Pagis, though competition for his signature is fierce.

Will Still arrives at Auxerre in a tense climate

At just 33 years old and with no professional playing career behind him, Will Still has signed a two-year contract with AJ Auxerre, replacing Christophe Pélissier, who was sidelined despite the club’s survival in Ligue 1. "I took the time to analyze and understand what the club is and what it means to the people of the city. There’s an incredible history, an exceptional fanbase, and a truly iconic stadium. So I’m really very, very proud and happy to be part of the city’s history," he declared. Already feeling the pressure, Still promises an enterprising style of play: "I don’t want to watch others play; I don’t want to wait on the edge of our 18-yard box and see opponents play. We’re going to go and bother teams, we’re going to press."

Still’s appointment comes at a tense time, with recurring protests from Auxerre’s ultras, particularly against sporting director David Wantier. The club, owned by Chinese billionaire James Zhou, is in a transition phase, which Zhou describes as: "Our project is now to take AJA to the next level," justifying the changes at the helm of the professional team.

Stade Rennais’ schedule: a high-intensity opener

Stade Rennais will kick off its 2026-2027 Ligue 1 season with a major fixture at the Parc des Princes against Paris Saint-Germain, the French champions and Champions League winners, on Sunday, August 23. This will be the second consecutive year that the Breton side faces such a formidable opponent in its season opener. After finishing 6th in 2025-2026 and with RC Lens winning the French Cup, Rennes will participate in the Europa League, adding extra stakes to the new season.

Rennes’ calendar continues with a home game against Le Mans FC on August 30, a trip to Angers, followed by a home clash against Olympique de Marseille. Other key matches include an away game at Lyon, home fixtures against Lille, Monaco, and a second meeting with PSG, with the season concluding at home against Angers SCO. Several former players, such as Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé, selected for the 2026 World Cup, could make their return in front of the Stade Rennais faithful.

Transfer market: OM in the running for Pablo Pagis

Despite financial constraints, Olympique de Marseille can now push forward on several fronts with the arrival of Grégory Lorenzi as sporting director. Among the targets under consideration is FC Lorient striker Pablo Pagis, who delivered a convincing season with 10 goals and 5 assists in Ligue 1. However, OM is not alone in this pursuit, as RC Lens and Paris FC are also very interested in the 23-year-old.

Lorient president Loïc Féry even clarified: "When I read that Pablo Pagis will leave for ten million euros, I can reassure everyone: he won’t leave for that amount but rather for €20 million or more." A multi-million-euro battle is thus shaping up in this summer transfer window to secure the French striker.

As Ligue 1 prepares to start a new season full of challenges for many clubs, the youth and ambition of Will Still at Auxerre contrast with Stade Rennais’ strong return to Europe and OM’s renewal ambitions in the transfer market. The summer promises to be full of twists and turns for French football.