Former Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has opened up about his new career as sporting director at French club Lorient, revealing how his time at Arsenal under Arsène Wenger continues to shape his approach to football management.
Returning to Roots in Brittany
Laurent Koscielny always knew he would return to Lorient, the club where he began his professional career before moving to Arsenal in 2010. The former France international has now settled back in the seaside town with his family, describing the Brittany region as "a beautiful area with welcoming and kind people." After concluding his playing days with Bordeaux, Koscielny initially rejoined Lorient as a youth coach before stepping into the sporting director role following the club's relegation in 2024.
The timing of his appointment presented a significant challenge. "The objective was clear - we needed to return to Ligue 1 immediately for the club's centenary year," Koscielny explained. Under his leadership, Les Merlus achieved exactly that, winning promotion back to the top flight as champions.
Building Sustainable Success
Koscielny frequently emphasises the importance of sustainability when discussing his vision for Lorient. "It's good to be ambitious, but it's even better to be grounded," he states, pointing to the cautious approach of neighbouring club Brest as an inspiration. The former defender acknowledges the challenging financial landscape in French football, particularly the broadcasting rights crises that have significantly impacted club finances.
The sporting director role has given Koscielny a comprehensive overview of club operations. "I get to have relationships with everyone at the club," he says. "I really have an overall view of things, whether it's finances, marketing, or what happens on the pitch." This broad perspective has helped shape his recruitment strategy, which balances data analysis with personal assessment of players' character and motivation.
Arsenal Legacy and Future Vision
Koscielny regards Arsène Wenger's transformative work at Arsenal as a blueprint for successful club management. "Over those 23 years, he managed to develop the club in every aspect: not just on the pitch, but also in terms of culture, finances and infrastructure," he observes. The Frenchman isn't surprised that so many of his former Arsenal teammates have moved into managerial and directorial roles, seeing this as part of Wenger's lasting legacy.
He remains in regular contact with former centre-back partner Per Mertesacker, now Arsenal's academy manager, discussing everything from young players to recruitment. Koscielny also praises Mikel Arteta's impact at Arsenal, noting that the current manager's considered approach and energetic presence were evident even during his playing days.
Regarding his controversial departure from Arsenal six years ago, Koscielny acknowledges that "relationships deteriorated with people at the club," though he maintains good relations with former manager Unai Emery. He has apologised for the controversial unveiling video at Bordeaux that saw him removing an Arsenal shirt, describing it as not his idea and emphasising his lasting respect for the club and its supporters.
Looking ahead, Koscielny is focused on developing young talent at Lorient, following the successful model that brought through players like summer signing Arsène Kouassi. Despite the club's current relegation battle, the former defender remains confident in the squad and coaching staff, determined to build sustainable success in Brittany.
