Carles Martinez Novell's tenure as Toulouse FC coach ended on a high note, as his side secured a 2-1 victory over Olympique Lyonnais at the Stadium. The Spaniard, serving a one-match suspension for accumulating five yellow cards, watched from the stands alongside staff members, unable to lead his team from the touchline. Yet the result, coupled with an emotional post-match farewell, provided a fitting conclusion to his two-year stint.
Novell, who took over in 2023, had already been informed his contract would not be renewed. Despite inconsistent results at home, he leaves with the respect of fans and players alike. The match against Lyon was emblematic of his tenure: a hard-fought battle against a top-tier opponent, decided by a stunning team goal.
Dayann Methalie opened the scoring in the 10th minute, sending the Stadium into a frenzy. Novell, perched in the press tribune, celebrated passionately, taking notes and communicating with his bench via remote. But Lyon equalized in the 71st minute from a corner—a set piece Novell had drilled repeatedly in training. Frustrated, he slammed his fist on the desk, but his mood shifted when Warren Kamanzi netted the winner in the 78th minute after a superb build-up. The coaching staff embraced in the stands.
After the final whistle, Novell rushed onto the pitch to hug each player, starting with his assistant Pol Garcia, who had replaced him on the bench. Long embraces followed, with captain Rasmus Nicolaisen among those expressing gratitude. “Carles is a good man. We had a great feeling from the start,” Nicolaisen said. “I wish him the best for the future.”
Goalkeeper Guillaume Restes, a product of Novell’s trust, also paid tribute. “I owe him everything. Many coaches would have been afraid to launch a young player like me,” Restes said, reflecting on his 21-year-old breakthrough two seasons ago. Novell, visibly moved, admitted the city had left a mark on him. “Toulouse will be difficult to replace. The people are kind, the city is incredible, the stadium is positive,” he said.
The victory carried deeper significance given the expected summer upheaval. Multiple key players—Charlie Cresswell, Cristian Casseres, Aron Dönnum, Frank Magri, and potentially Restes—are tipped to leave. The win provided a morale boost for a squad facing a rebuild. Novell, however, chose to focus on the present: “For the supporters and the club, it was important to finish with these feelings.”
Before leaving the stadium for the last time, Novell donned a purple beret and led a clapping session in the Brice-Taton stand, then watched a fireworks display. A commemorative frame had earlier been presented by club president Olivier Cloarec. The evening ended with a garden party for partners, allowing Novell to savor his final moments.
As he prepares for the last match of the season at Nantes on Sunday, Novell reflects on his tenure with calm. “I am at peace with my decision and everything I have done. Not the results, but the work,” he said. His future remains uncertain, but his legacy in Toulouse is one of emotional highs and a fight until the end.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.
