Benjamin Mendy’s new manager speaks out on decision to sign ex-Man City defender

Benjamin Mendy's new Lorient manager Regis Le Bris has revealed he has no concerns about the signing of the French international after he was found not guilty of rape.

The ex-Manchester City full back was acquitted last week at a re-trial having first been cleared of other sexual allegations earlier this year in January. And following the verdict of the trial it was announced Mendy would be signing for Ligue 1 side Lorient.

The 29-year-old had been released by Man City, who initially suspended Mendy back in 2021, after his contract came to an end with Pep Guardiola's side. He has since inked a two-year deal with Lorient.

In their signing announcement, the Ligue 1 side said: "FC Lorient is pleased to announce today the signing for two seasons of French international left-back Benjamin Mendy (29).

READ MORE: Benjamin Mendy found not guilty of rape charges as tearful ex-Man City player walks free

They added: "After having satisfied the traditional medical examination, Benjamin Mendy, world champion 2018, quadruple winner of the Premier League under the colors of Manchester City and French champion of Ligue 1 with Monaco in particular, comes to reinforce the Lorient workforce for this new season."

And now his new manager Regis Le Bris has also spoken out about the signing of the World Cup winning defender, who has re-affirmed he has no issues with Mendy's arrival at Lorient.

Speaking to Le Equipe, Le Bris said: "The justice system’s verdict should be taken at face value. You can’t redo the trial. We can only echo the words of the Minister for Sports. It’s been sorted out.

"We can’t casually speak of a trial. Things are controlled and looked into. From the moment the verdict is given, we can’t revisit it.

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"There’s no need to go back over the trial in the public space. Then, we had the conversation about measuring the way in which the player was apprehending all of this.

"And [his] daily behaviour is in line. A club has to ask itself the question, and that’s what we’ve done. It’s a subject that can’t be avoided. What I like about this story, is that there’s an element of [him being an] outsider, a rehabilitation, a conqueror after a difficult story. I think that what’s happening around Benjamin is symbolic in terms of what we want to be as a team and as a club."

Mendy will potentially make his competitive debut this coming season against Kylian Mbappe and Paris Saint Germain, who are slated to be Lorient's first fixture on August 13.

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