Demba Ba Appointed Sporting Director at Ligue 1 Side Le Havre

Former Senegal international Demba Ba has officially taken up a new leadership role in football after being appointed as the sporting director of French Ligue 1 side Le Havre, marking a major step in his post-playing career.

The 41-year-old ex-striker, known for his time in the Premier League with clubs such as West Ham United, Newcastle United, and Chelsea, transitions into the role after spending the last three years in a management position at Ligue 2 club Dunkerque. During his spell there, he served as deputy president and played a key role in the club’s recent progress.

While at Dunkerque, Ba helped oversee a strong 2025 campaign where the club finished fourth in Ligue 2, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion but still securing a place in the playoffs.

The team also enjoyed an impressive run in the French Cup, reaching the semi-finals before being eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain.

His appointment at Le Havre comes after the departure of Mathieu Bodmer, who left the club following the conclusion of the season. Bodmer has since joined Caen, a third-tier French side owned by Real Madrid and France star Kylian Mbappé.

Le Havre, who finished 14th in Ligue 1 last season, will be hoping Ba’s experience both on and off the pitch will help strengthen their sporting structure and improve their competitive performance in the coming campaigns.

Ba’s move is seen as part of a growing trend of former players stepping into executive football roles, using their playing experience to influence club strategy, recruitment, and long-term development.

With his deep knowledge of French and English football, Le Havre will be expecting him to bring leadership, stability, and a winning mentality as they look to climb higher in Ligue 1 in the coming seasons.