Sochaux coach Francis Gillot has told the club he wants to leave this summer. The 51-year-old has been at the Montbeliard outfit's helm since 2008 and guided the team into the UEFA Europa League by finishing fifth in Ligue 1 on Sunday.
Gillot has been linked with a move away, though, with Valenciennes and Bordeaux mooted as possible destinations, and has decided his future lies away from the Stade Auguste Bonal.
"I am under contract until June 2012, but I want to leave Sochaux," he said in L'Equipe. "My president knows. He has known for several weeks."
He added, jokingly: "Unless he repeats that 'your future is written in Sochaux', it's never good to hold someone against their will. Especially someone like me!"
I am under contract until June 2012, but I want to leave Sochaux.
Francis Gillot, Sochaux coach
Gillot did not go into reasons behind his decision, but he has already spoken to other clubs as he ponders his next career move.
"I do have contact through my agent with several clubs, including those you mentioned [Valenciennes and Bordeaux]," he said.
"I did meet someone before the end of the league season. Auxerre and Lens also emerged a few weeks ago - less now. And I also refused an offer from the United Arab Emirates.
"I will leave a great coaching staff, where I only have friends. I am leaving a great group of players. But I want to leave.
"I work a lot on intuition. When I went to Lens four years ago, many people did not understand. I have personal reasons that I will not explain. They are feelings. I must go."