FRA - Struggling Pau show Cousin the door

PAU-ORTHEZ (Pro A) - Pau-Orthez have parted company with coach Olivier Cousin after the club's poor start to the season.

The 36-year-old, who joined Pau from Pro B side Quimper in the close season, presided over nine defeats in his 11 games in charge.

The team, historically one of the biggest in France, is currently bottom of the Pro A standings having lost seven of their opening eight games of the campaign.

They are also bottom of their ULEB Cup Group H with a 1-2 record, and were thrashed 91-55 by BC Kyiv on Tuesday.

Laurent Mopsus, who was assistant to Cousin, will take the reins on a temporary basis. He will be assisted by coaches Francois Laulhe and Paul Henderson.

A club statement read: "Olivier Cousin has taken charge, on Tuesday evening in Kiev, his last match at the head of Elan Bearnais.

"The coach, who arrived in the close season, has been relieved of his functions following results which did not conform with our fixed objectives.

"The departure of Olivier Cousin has taken place following the friendly agreement between the two parties concerned."

Cousin came in a replacement for Canadian Gordon Herbert, who parted company with Pau at the end of last season after a below-par campaign.

It ended with the club winning the Coupe de France but they finished outside the top eight in Pro A, meaning they did not qualify for the Euroleague.

Pau have spawned talented players of the likes of Fred Fauthoux, the Gadou brothers, Laurent Foirest, the Pietrus brothers, Boris Diaw and Johan Petro in recent years.

They have won the French championship 10 times over the past 20 years.

FIBA