Bruno Genesio has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Ajax and Brighton & Hove Albion target Francesco Farioli as manager of OGC Nice, according to a report from L’Équipe. 

It is thought that Farioli has taken charge of Nice for the final time. For several weeks, the Italian, who arrived at Les Aiglons in the summer and guided the club to a fifth-place finish and a return to Europe, has been linked with a move. Ajax have a long-standing interest and since Graham Potter’s refusal to take over at the Eredivisie side, Farioli has become the priority. Following the announcement of Roberto De Zerbi’s departure from Brighton, Farioli, who once worked with the now-former Seagulls coach, has also been linked with a move to the South Coast.

Should he leave – as is expected – Farioli could be replaced by Genesio, who has been out of work since leaving Stade Rennais earlier this season. Should Genesio, who once played for Le Gym, arrive at the Allianz Riviera, he could be accompanied by sporting director Florian Maurice, with whom he worked at Rennes, with the departure of Nice’s current sporting director, Florent Ghisolfi, already confirmed by president Jean-Pierre Rivère.