Le Havre is set to make a major change in its sports organization with the arrival of Demba Ba as the football director. The former Senegal international Demba Ba is leaving his role as deputy president of USL Dunkerque to join the Normandy club, where he will replace Mathieu Bodmer in managing the sports policy.
According to information from L’Équipe, the agreement between the parties is now finalized, and Demba Ba’s appointment should be officially announced in the coming days. This move is part of an internal restructuring aimed at strengthening the club’s sports organization and stabilizing its medium- and long-term project.
A former striker who played for several top European clubs, including Chelsea FC and Newcastle United, Demba Ba has transitioned into a managerial role after ending his playing career. His experience in competitive environments and his network in professional football were key factors in Le Havre’s decision.
At Dunkerque, USL Dunkerque, he played a pivotal role in the sports organization. He helped establish a more coherent recruitment strategy, professionalized certain aspects of internal operations, and promoted young players. Under his leadership and with the entire coaching staff, the club saw notable progress, marked by improved stability and rising performances in Ligue 2.
His work has garnered enough attention to attract interest from several clubs, both in France and abroad. This recognition stems from his ability to structure a sports project while managing budget constraints, an important aspect for clubs outside the financial elite of the league.
At Le Havre, the project is entering a new phase of development led by shareholder Blue Crow, which aims to strengthen the club’s resources to help it reach a new level in sports. The goal is to enhance the competitiveness of the squad, better structure the recruitment policy, and ensure continuity in developing young talents.
🚨 DEMBA BA 🇸🇳 IS SET TO BECOME THE NEW SPORTS DIRECTOR OF LE HAVRE! 👔🩵💙
He will succeed Mathieu Bodmer 🇫🇷.
🗞️ @lequipe pic.twitter.com/F3NaDYJ0Nf
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) June 10, 2026
In this new organization, Demba Ba won’t be working alone. He is expected to be joined by Quentin Rauzier, a former Paris FC player, who will take on the role of sports coordinator. Romain Decool is also anticipated to join the setup, responsible for recruitment. This management team will be tasked with implementing a coherent strategy between training, recruitment, and the performance of the first team.
All these changes signal a clear desire to modernize the club’s sports structure, in a context where strategic management of football is becoming a crucial factor for competitiveness.
