Caen will spend a second straight season in Ligue 3, the rebranded National, after relegation in 2025, but the club owned by Kylian Mbappé has brought in Mathieu Bodmer as football director ahead of a promotion push.
Bodmer, previously a key figure at Le Havre, turned down interest from Lorient and Auxerre to join the Normandy club. He told L’Equipe that some difficulties at Caen predated the Mbappé family’s arrival and that financial resources alone do not determine success.
The former midfielder praised the ownership’s youth programme, citing improvements to schooling, accommodation, nutrition and personal support for academy players. He said Fayza, Kylian Mbappé’s mother, had banned mobile phones at the training centre, a decision he described as wonderful, adding that it encouraged young players to talk and spend time together.
Caen open their season at home against Valenciennes on 7 August. Bodmer said promotion within two years would not be considered a failure.
