Angers SCO has announced the surprise departure of head coach Alexandre Dujeux. The 50-year-old coach had requested to end his mission after stabilizing the club in the elite league. With a tight schedule, the recruitment cell is already active to find his successor at the dawn of the 2026-2027 season. ## Stéphane Gilli emerges as top candidate To compensate for this unexpected departure, the Angers SCO management is exploring several options for French coaches well-versed in hexagonal battles. According to Ouest-France, Stéphane Gilli's name is emerging as a top candidate. Free from any commitment since the end of his stint at Paris FC in February, the 52-year-old coach presents the major advantage of being immediately available. Known for his ambitious playing philosophy, he would hold the line to settle in Maine-et-Loire. ## The experience map: Pélissier and Montanier on the radar If negotiations were to falter with the favorite, two other experienced profiles stand out. The first leads to Christophe Pélissier, as mentioned by Top Mercato. Despite a new solidly validated maintenance on the bench of AJ Auxerre, the native of Revel could find himself on the market due to internal divergences. A true specialist in commando missions, his CV interests the SCO management. Finally, the Philippe Montanier trail is not to be excluded. Called to the bedside of AS Saint-Étienne to close the season, the former Toulouse coach failed to snatch promotion with the Greens. At the end of his contract in Forez, he is looking for a new exciting challenge to relaunch his career full-time. It's clear that the story is just beginning in Anjou.