History and honours

Le Mans Football Club was founded in 1985 following the merger of Union Sportive du Mans and Stade Olympique du Maine.

In the early 2000s, Le Mans FC enjoyed the most significant period in the club’s history. Under a succession of coaches, including Daniel Jeandupeux and later Frédéric Hantz, the club earned promotion to Ligue 1 in 2004. They went on to spend six consecutive seasons in the top flight between 2004 and 2010, bringing through a number of talented players such as Didier Drogba, Gervinho, Stéphane Sessègnon and Yohann Pelé, all of whom would go on to play at the highest level.

After being placed into liquidation in 2013, the club were forced to restart in the sixth tier. Thanks to an impressive sporting and administrative rebuild, which included winning the National 2 title in 2018 and the National title in 2019, Le Mans FC secured a series of successive promotions, returning to professional football in Ligue 2 in 2019 before making their way back to Ligue 1 in 2026.

Last meeting: 01/10/2009

The last Ligue 1 home meeting between Le Gym and Le Mans FC dates back to the 2009-10 season.

Les Aiglons claimed a 1-0 victory in a largely tight and cagey encounter. Nice took an early lead, making the most of a Le Mans side being reduced to ten men following a sending-off. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Le Mans continued to battle and pushed for an equaliser until the final whistle, but to no avail. Nice ultimately held firm to secure a second consecutive home victory.

Ligue 1 head-to-head

In the last 10 meetings with Le Mans FC in Ligue 1, OGC Nice have recorded 3 wins, 4 draws and 3 defeats, scoring 10 goals and conceding 12.