Demba Ba quits Le Havre sporting director role amid major shake-up at Ligue 1 club

Former Senegal international Demba Ba has decided to leave his position as sporting director of Le Havre, adding to the growing uncertainty surrounding the French club following the departures of head coach Didier Digard and president Jean-Michel Roussier.

According to L’Équipe, Ba informed the club of his decision after the project he had initially joined to oversee was significantly altered by recent developments within the organisation.

The 41-year-old’s departure comes just two days after Digard was dismissed and Roussier announced his resignation, leaving Le Havre facing a major restructuring of its leadership.

Ba was appointed sporting director on June 19, signing a two-year contract after leaving USL Dunkerque, where he had helped oversee the club’s sporting development.

However, his time at Le Havre lasted just over four months, with the former Chelsea and Newcastle United striker reportedly no longer seeing a future in the project presented to him when he arrived.

Quentin Rauzier expected to replace Demba Ba

Le Havre are expected to turn to Quentin Rauzier to fill the vacancy left by Ba.

Rauzier joined the club during the summer as an assistant to the sporting director and is reportedly in line to take over responsibility for the club’s sporting department.

His expected appointment comes at a difficult time for the Normandy outfit, who are also searching for stability on the pitch following their disappointing start to the Ligue 1 campaign.

The departure of Ba follows an earlier exit by Mathieu Bodmer, who left his sporting director position in May after four years at the club.

Le Havre face major uncertainty

The latest developments leave Le Havre without their head coach, president and sporting director within the space of just a few days.

The changes followed a disappointing 5-1 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain, which preceded Digard’s dismissal and Roussier’s resignation.

Le Havre have struggled significantly in Ligue 1, collecting just two points from their opening nine matches and remaining without a league victory.

The club’s American owners, Blue Crow Sports Group, now face the task of rebuilding the sporting structure while attempting to improve the team’s fortunes.

Ba’s departure represents another significant setback for Le Havre as they attempt to navigate both institutional uncertainty and their difficult position in the French top flight.