Editing Lille OSC (section)

==History==
===First decade of glory : The War Machine (1944–1955)===
{{main|Olympique Lillois|SC Fives}}
[[File:LilleOSC October1946.jpg|thumb|{{ill|Roger Vandooren|fr}} with Lille against [[RC Strasbourg Alsace|Strasbourg]] in 1946]]
Before the [[Second World War]], the city of Lille had two clubs at the top level; [[Olympique Lillois]] and [[SC Fives]]. Olympique Lillois were crowned domestic champions in [[1932–33 French Division 1|1932–33]], the first in the history of the championship that was created in 1932, and were runners-up in [[1935–36 French Division 1|1935–36]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Dorvillé |first=Christian |date=2010 |title=Grandes figures sportives du Nord-Pas-de-Calais |language=fr |location=Villeneuve-d'Ascq |publisher=Presses Universitaires du Septentrion |isbn=978-2-7574-0152-1}}</ref> They also earned a [[Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques#Football|USFSA Football Championship]] title in [[1914 USFSA Football Championship|1914]], the French football top division before the creation of the French Division 1, and went to the [[Coupe de France]] final in [[1939 Coupe de France Final|1939]]. Their neighbours, SC Fives, ranked second in [[1933–34 French Division 1|1933–34]].<ref>{{cite web |language=fr |url=https://www.zoomsurlille.fr/decouvrir-lille/sports-de-haut-niveau/sc-fives-ol |title=SC Fives + OL |date=6 August 2014 |website=ZoomSurLille.fr |access-date=19 September 2022 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172801/https://www.zoomsurlille.fr/decouvrir-lille/sports-de-haut-niveau/sc-fives-ol |url-status=live }}</ref> They also went to the Coupe de France final, being defeated by [[FC Girondins de Bordeaux|Girondins AS Port]] in [[1941 Coupe de France Final|1941]].<ref name="CoupeFFF">{{cite web |language=fr |url=https://www.fff.fr/competition/engagement/392609-coupe-de-france/phase/1/155-le-palmares-de-la-coupe-de-france.html |title=Coupe de France |website=[[French Football Federation|FFF]] |access-date=19 September 2022 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171844/https://www.fff.fr/competition/engagement/392609-coupe-de-france/phase/1/155-le-palmares-de-la-coupe-de-france.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Weakened by the war, the two clubs decided to merge in the autumn of 1944, on 23 September, giving birth to Stade Lillois, renamed Lille Olympique Sporting Club a few weeks later.<ref name="MemoirePHJV">{{cite book |last1=Hurseau |first1=Paul |last2=Verhaeghe |first2=Jacques |date=1997 |title=Olympique lillois. Sporting Club fivois. Lille O.S.C. : mémoire du football |language=fr |location=Joué-lès-Tours |publisher=Alan Sutton |isbn=2-84253-080-2}}</ref> On 25 November 1944, the club is officially registered under its new name.

For its first season, the newborn club reached the [[1945 Coupe de France Final|1945 Coupe de France final]], with a squad composed of the best players of both merging teams, who are mostly natives of the [[Nord (French department)|Nord department]].<ref name="MemoirePHJV" /> Next season, Lille won the [[Double (association football)|double]], beating [[Red Star F.C.|Red Star]] in the [[1946 Coupe de France Final]] and finishing at the first place of [[1945–46 French Division 1|French Division 1]] ahead of [[AS Saint-Étienne|Saint-Étienne]] and [[CO Roubaix-Tourcoing|Roubaix-Tourcoing]]. In 1947, Lille finished in the fourth place but came back to the Coupe de France [[1947 Coupe de France Final|final]] and retained the trophy, defeating [[RC Strasbourg Alsace|Strasbourg]]. The club won the cup again in [[1948 Coupe de France Final|1948]] beating main rivals [[RC Lens|Lens]], its third in a row, and were runners-up of the league the same year, behind [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]] that became the champions after a strong [[1947–48 French Division 1|1947–48 season]] finishing. They were also runners-up in [[1948–49 French Division 1|1948–49]], [[1949–50 French Division 1|1949–50]] and [[1950–51 French Division 1|1950–51]].<ref name="MemoirePHJV" /> On 24 June 1951, an exhausted Lille reached the [[Latin Cup]] final and lost against [[Gre-No-Li]]'s [[AC Milan]] after having played 250 minutes in the span of two days.<ref>{{cite web |language=fr |url=https://www.lepetitlillois.com/2020/04/24/le-jour-ou-le-losc-a-failli-remporter-la-coupe-deurope |title=Le jour où le LOSC a failli remporter la coupe d'Europe |last=Deléglise |first=Thomas |date=24 April 2020 |website=Le Petit Lillois |access-date=19 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313155957/https://www.lepetitlillois.com/2020/04/24/le-jour-ou-le-losc-a-failli-remporter-la-coupe-deurope |archive-date=13 March 2023}}</ref>

On 31 May 1953, they got back to winning and earned their fourth Coupe de France trophy in a 2–1 [[1953 Coupe de France Final|final]] win against [[FC Nancy]], before 60,000 spectators. The club then won its second domestic title in [[1953–54 French Division 1|1953–54]], having only conceded 22 goals within 34 games. After this season, Lille is praised for its defensive proficiency and acquired a reputation as a rock-solid defense.<ref name="MemoirePHJV" /> A year later, ''Les Dogues'' earned their fifth Coupe de France in a 5–2 win against [[FC Girondins de Bordeaux|Bordeaux]] in the [[1955 Coupe de France Final|final]].<ref name="CoupeFFF" /> This period of glory and hegemony, occurring after the war and the [[German occupation of France]], has led to one of the club's nicknames: ''La Machine de Guerre'' ([[French language|French]] for "The War Machine").<ref name="CohenLOSC">{{cite book |last=Cohen |first=Stéphane |date=15 February 2018 |title=Les fous du stade |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_i5wDwAAQBAJ |language=fr |location=Paris |publisher=Solar Éditions |isbn=9782263156502 |trans-quote=LOSC, known as The War Machine, earned its nickname at the end of the Military Administration in France and became the best French football team in subsequent years. |access-date=21 March 2023 |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007192257/https://books.google.com/books?id=_i5wDwAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> Within its first decade of existence, the club gathered the vast majority of its major trophies, winning two league titles and reaching the second place for four consecutive seasons. Lille, known as the best French club in the post-war period, accumulated five Coupe de France wins in seven finals, including five successive finals and winning the trophy three times in a row, one of the best performances in the history of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |language=fr |url=https://www.lepetitlillois.com/2020/02/26/le-parcours-du-losc-en-coupe-de-france-depuis-1994 |title=Le parcours du LOSC en Coupe de France depuis 1944 |last=Simon |first=Émile |date=26 February 2020 |website=Le Petit Lillois |access-date=19 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313160415/https://www.lepetitlillois.com/2020/02/26/le-parcours-du-losc-en-coupe-de-france-depuis-1994 |archive-date=13 March 2023}}</ref>

===Decline and several spells in lower levels (1955–1978)===
[[File:GuillaumeBieganski1959.jpg|thumb|[[Guillaume Bieganski]], one of the best Lille players in the late 1950s]]
The [[1955–56 French Division 1|1955–56 season]] happened to be highly complicated. The club suffered from internal conflicts, {{ill|Louis Henno|fr|Louis Henno}} was contested and certain players refused to play some matches. In the field, the Northmen were way too irregular and crumbly in defense, and finished in 16th place.<ref name="MemoirePHJV"/> Lille were relegated for the first time in their history in 1956. This relegation is accompanied by aggravating financial consequences. Best players' departure is necessary to cover debts which are becoming substantial. Failing to rebuild a top team due to the increasingly poor financial situation, the club began a series of promotions and relegations. Promoted in [[1956–57 French Division 2|1957]] by beating [[Stade Rennais F.C.|Rennes]], Lille initially ended up to an unexpected 6th place. The club then finished in eighteenth place the following season; being relegated a second time. After a few years spent in Division 2, the club became a mid-table side in the late 1960s. From 1964 to 1968, the club managed somehow to avoid relegation to the lower level. After a long drought, the worst occurred when Lille abandoned its professional status on 23 June 1969, lacking facilities and resources.<ref name="MemoirePHJV"/>

A few seasons spent in amateur leagues later, Lille recreated its professional team by entering the second division in [[1970–71 French Division 2|1970]], finished at the top of the division at the end of the season. The club began a new series of promotions and relegations in the 1970s. During this decade, the club's accounts were largely in deficit. In order to cover debts, a support committee was founded and friendly matches were organized to raise funds.<ref name="MemoirePHJV"/> Famous clubs like [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]] or [[Feyenoord]] as well as nearby Belgian teams like [[R.S.C. Anderlecht|Anderlecht]] and [[Standard Liège]] agreed to play against Lille to help the northern team. However, these ticket revenues only temporarily improve the club's financial situation but the Lille city council was again forced to help and intervene.<ref name="PHJV2">{{cite book |last1=Hurseau |first1=Paul |last2=Verhaeghe |first2=Jacques |date=2004 |title=Lille Olympique Sporting Club : 1944-2004, le soixantenaire |language=fr |location=Joué-lès-Tours |publisher=Alan Sutton |isbn=9782849101124}}</ref> At the lower level, Lille missed out on promotion in 1973 by one point but were crowned Division 2 champions the following year. After finishing twice in 13th place, during the [[1974–75 French Division 1|1974–75]] and [[1975–76 French Division 1|1975–76]] seasons, the club was once again relegated in 1977.<ref>{{cite web |language=fr |url=https://www.losc.fr/histoire/chapitre-2-les-montagnes-russes-1955-1998 |title=Chapitre 2 : Les montagnes Russes (1955 - 1998) |work=LOSC.fr |access-date=22 December 2023 |archive-date=22 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222081330/https://www.losc.fr/histoire/chapitre-2-les-montagnes-russes-1955-1998 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="PHJV2"/>

===Reconstruction and reorganization (1978–2000)===
[[File:LilleOSC197980.jpg|thumb|Lille squad for [[1979–80 French Division 1]] season]]
After years of back and forth, Lille finally returned to the top tier of French football at the end of the [[1977–78 French Division 1|1977–78 season]]. Until 1997, the club remained in the first division, becoming a perennial member of the Division 1. In the [[1978–79 French Division 1|1978–79]], the Mastiffs had a good run and ended at 6th place, nearly qualifying for European competitions while being promoted. The following year, in July 1980, Lille was the first French club to opt for the status of a [[Mixed economy|mixed economy company]] (SAEMS), of which the city of Lille became the majority shareholder and turned the club into a public-controlled enterprise.<ref>{{cite web |language=fr |url=http://droguebierecomplotlosc.unblog.fr/2020/05/31/le-losc-pionnier-des-societes-deconomie-mixte |title=Le LOSC, pionnier des sociétés d'économie mixte |date=31 May 2020 |work=DBC LOSC |access-date=22 December 2023 |archive-date=22 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222081334/http://droguebierecomplotlosc.unblog.fr/2020/05/31/le-losc-pionnier-des-societes-deconomie-mixte/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The new financial sustainability allows the club's sporting stabilization in the elite division. LOSC then achieved some success stories in the decade, reaching the Coupe de France semi-finals in 1983 and 1985.<ref name="MemoirePHJV"/>

However, presidents Jacques Amyot, Roger Deschodt and Jacques Dewailly all struggled to compete with the top teams in the country and saw Lille staying in the familiar surroundings of mid-table. In 1991, Lille then-coached by Jacques Santini finished in sixth place, just two points from the European places; this is the club's only appearance in the league table top half in the 1990s. After financial problems, Bernard Lecomte took over as president of the club in 1994 and saved it from administrative relegation the following year by negotiating with the governing bodies. During this period of austerity where the National Football League prohibited the club from recruiting, LOSC had to part ways with its star players, such as [[Antoine Sibierski]] or [[Miladin Bečanović]], and chose to develop its youth academy. Yet another economic crisis brought the club to the brink of bankruptcy and led to relegation to the second division in 1997.<ref name="MemoirePHJV"/><ref name="PHJV2"/>

While being in Division 2, the club was privatised and purchased in 1999 by {{ill|Luc Dayan|fr|Luc Dayan}} and [[Francis Graille]]. The team then trained by Bosnian coach [[Vahid Halilhodžić]] reconnected with success. Lille quickly recovered as Lille were head and shoulders over the other clubs during the [[1999–2000 French Division 2|1999–2000 Division 2 season]], the club dominated the championship thanks to excellent defense and finished champion with sixteen points ahead of its runner-up, being promoted back to the top.<ref name="MemoirePHJV"/><ref name="PHJV2"/>

===Back to the top and new double (2000–2017)===
[[File:LOSC à Bollaert (Champions League 2006-2007).jpg|thumb| Lille playing against [[AC Milan]] in the [[2006–07 UEFA Champions League]]]]
In just its first season back in the top flight [[2000–01 French Division 1]], Lille qualified for [[UEFA competitions|Europe]] for the first time in the club's history, booking its place in the [[2001–02 UEFA Champions League|2001–02 Champions League]]. On the back of the club's new status, Lille entered into a decisive new era under the guidance of chairman and chief executive officer [[Michel Seydoux]] and coach [[Claude Puel]]. The club left the historical [[Stade Grimonprez-Jooris]] to join the [[Stadium Lille Métropole]] and became a regular on the European scene. Amongst its most emphatic results was the 1–0 victory over [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] at the [[Stade de France]] in 2005, the 2–0 triumph over [[A.C. Milan|Milan]] in [[San Siro]] in 2006 and the 1–0 home win over [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] in 2010.

[[File:Celebration LOSC 2011.jpg|thumb|[[Aurélien Chedjou]] and [[Gervinho]] celebrate winning the double in 2011.]]
In the 2010s, Lille knew a steady development on and off the pitch, and has established itself as one of the most important clubs in French Ligue 1. First, the inauguration of the vast and modern Domaine de Luchin training complex in 2007 brings the club to a new era, the center being one of the largest in France. Roughly at the same time, the construction of the 50,000-capacity [[Stade Pierre-Mauroy|Grand Stade Lille Métropole]] (renamed later Stade Pierre-Mauroy), which opened in 2012, began on 29 March 2010 and will give the club the fourth-largest [[List of football stadiums in France|football stadium in France]]. Successive strong results and a sporting progression under head coach [[Rudi Garcia]] took the club back to the top of the French league. Fifty-six years after the club's last trophy, [[2010–11 Lille OSC season|2010–11]] first-team, led by home-grown players [[Yohan Cabaye]], [[Mathieu Debuchy]] and [[Eden Hazard]], won the club's second double after finishing at the [[2010–11 Ligue 1]] top spot and defeating [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]] in the [[2011 Coupe de France Final|2011 Coupe de France final]].<ref>{{cite web |language=fr |url=https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/ligue-1/lille-roi-de-france_AN-201105210123.html |title=Lille roi de France |date=21 May 2011 |website=[[RMC Sport]] |access-date=19 September 2022 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172815/https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/ligue-1/lille-roi-de-france_AN-201105210123.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/295241?cc=5739|title=Lille seal historic title|date=21 May 2011|work=ESPN Soccernet|access-date=24 May 2011|archive-date=2 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202024016/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/295241?cc=5739|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the [[2011–12 Ligue 1|2011–12]] and [[2012–13 Ligue 1|2012–13]] Ligue 1 seasons, Lille confirmed its place belong top French football teams, finishing successively at the second and sixth places and qualifying for the [[2012–13 UEFA Champions League|2012–13 Champions League]]. In 2013, Garcia left to join [[A.S. Roma|Roma]], while former [[Montpellier HSC|Montpellier]] coach [[René Girard (footballer)|René Girard]] was appointed as new manager.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11813/8777137/Ligue-1-Lille-confirm-appointment-of-Rene-Girard-as-their-new-coach|title=Ligue 1: Lille confirm appointment of Rene Girard as their new coach|work=Sky Sports|date=14 June 2013|access-date=19 July 2013|archive-date=9 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609062531/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11813/8777137/Ligue-1-Lille-confirm-appointment-of-Rene-Girard-as-their-new-coach|url-status=live}}</ref> Under Girard, Lille finished at the third place in [[2013–14 Ligue 1|2013–14]], behind [[Zlatan Ibrahimović]]'s Paris Saint-Germain and [[James Rodríguez]]'s [[AS Monaco FC|Monaco]]. After two years in charge of the club and a deceiving eight seed at the end of the [[2014–15 Ligue 1|2014–15 Ligue 1 season]], Girard left the club by mutual consent.

In May 2015, the [[Ivory Coast national football team|Ivory Coast national team]] head coach [[Hervé Renard]] was appointed as the new manager.  On 11 November 2015, Renard was terminated as manager and was replaced by [[Frederic Antonetti]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3274/ligue-1/2015/11/11/17222252/lille-sack-manager-renard|title=Lille sack manager Renard|work=Goal.com|date=11 November 2015|access-date=10 December 2017|archive-date=18 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618213947/https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3274/ligue-1/2015/11/11/17222252/lille-sack-manager-renard|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4349/main/2015/11/23/17606742/lille-appoint-antonetti-as-their-new-manager|title=Lille appoint Antonetti as their new manager|work=Goal.com|date=23 November 2015|access-date=10 December 2017|archive-date=11 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211053555/http://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4349/main/2015/11/23/17606742/lille-appoint-antonetti-as-their-new-manager|url-status=live}}</ref> On 23 November 2016, a year after being appointed, Lille terminated Antonetti's contract with the club lying second last in the table.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/second-bottom-lille-sack-antonetti|title=Second-bottom Lille sack Antonetti|work=FourFourTwo|date=22 November 2016|access-date=10 December 2017|archive-date=11 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211053534/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/second-bottom-lille-sack-antonetti|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Campos and Galtier era: sustained success (2017–2021)===
In early 2017, Lille appointed [[Luís Campos (football)|Luís Campos]] as [[sporting director]] and head of recruitment. A short time afterwards, the club announced the arrival of Argentine famous manager [[Marcelo Bielsa]]. In November 2017, Bielsa was suspended by Lille following an unauthorized trip to [[Chile]] with the club lying second from bottom on the table again and only managing 3 wins from the first 14 games of the season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/nov/30/marcelo-bielsas-short-lived-catastrophe-at-lille-is-coming-to-an-end|title=Marcelo Bielsa's short-lived catastrophe at Lille is coming to an end|work=The Guardian|date=30 November 2017}}</ref> On 23 December 2017, Bielsa was terminated by Lille and replaced with former Saint-Etienne manager [[Christophe Galtier]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2017/christophe-galtier-to-take-over-from-marcelo-bielsa-as-lille-manager/|title=Christophe Galtier to take over from Marcelo Bielsa as Lille manager|work=Get French Football News|date=23 December 2017|access-date=2 March 2018|archive-date=2 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302163824/https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2017/christophe-galtier-to-take-over-from-marcelo-bielsa-as-lille-manager/|url-status=live}}</ref> In a difficult [[2017–18 Lille OSC season|2017–18 season]], Lille managed to avoid relegation to Ligue 2 by defeating [[Toulouse FC|Toulouse]] 3–2 in the second last game of the campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/14/lille-relegation-ligue-1-monaco-psg-strasbourg-lyon|title=Lille have pulled off a miraculous escape from relegation – or have they?|work=The Guardian|date=14 May 2018|access-date=21 May 2018|archive-date=29 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129231408/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/14/lille-relegation-ligue-1-monaco-psg-strasbourg-lyon|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Lille vs PSG 2019 - Stade Pierre Mauroy.jpg|thumb|A crowded [[Stade Pierre-Mauroy]] before Lille's 5–1 win over [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]] on 14 April 2019]]
Lille's following season is completely different. After the arrivals of veterans [[José Fonte]] and [[Loïc Rémy]], Turkish right-back [[Zeki Çelik]] and forwards [[Jonathan Bamba]], [[Jonathan Ikoné]] and [[Rafael Leão]], the team proceeded to reel off a string of victories, losing only five games in the first part of the [[2018–19 Ligue 1|2018–19 Ligue 1 season]]. On 14 April 2019, before a record attendance of 49,712 spectators, they defeated Paris Saint-Germain in a historic and storming 5–1 home win with goals from [[Nicolas Pépé]], Jonathan Bamba, [[Gabriel Magalhães|Gabriel]] and team captain José Fonte.<ref>{{cite web |language=en |url=https://www.besoccer.com/new/psg-title-party-delayed-again-after-historic-thumping-at-lille-617392 |title=PSG title party delayed again after historic thumping at Lille |date=15 April 2019 |website=BeSoccer.com |access-date=19 September 2022 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173047/https://www.besoccer.com/new/psg-title-party-delayed-again-after-historic-thumping-at-lille-617392 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the end of the season, Lille secured the second place to qualify for the [[2019–20 UEFA Champions League]] group stage; they returned to the competition after a seven-year absence.<ref>{{cite web |language=fr |url=https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/ligue-1-lille-officiellement-en-ligue-des-champions-1689691.html |title=Ligue 1 : Lille officiellement en Ligue des champions |date=11 May 2019 |website=[[RMC Sport]] |access-date=27 October 2022 |archive-date=19 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619002930/https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/ligue-1-lille-officiellement-en-ligue-des-champions-1689691.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 1 August 2019, club's season-top scorer Nicolas Pépé is sold to Premier League side [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] in a club-record fee of €80&nbsp;million (£72&nbsp;million).<ref>{{cite web |language=en |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/11773463/nicolas-pepe-completes-move-to-arsenal-from-lille-for-club-record-72m |title=Nicolas Pepe completes move to Arsenal from Lille for club-record £72m |date=2 August 2019 |website=[[Sky Sports]] |access-date=2 August 2019 |archive-date=2 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802002815/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/11773463/nicolas-pepe-completes-move-to-arsenal-from-lille-for-club-record-72m |url-status=live }}</ref> Lille announced the recruitment of [[Victor Osimhen]] and [[Tiago Djaló]] on the same day, after the signings of [[Timothy Weah]], [[Reinildo Mandava]] and [[Benjamin André]] a few weeks earlier. The club then announced the arrivals of [[Yusuf Yazıcı]] and [[Renato Sanches]] to strengthen the midfield.<ref>{{cite web |language=fr |url=https://www.losc.fr/actualites-foot-lille/le-mercato-2019-2020-de-à-z |title=Le mercato 2019-2020 de A à Z |date=4 September 2019 |website=LOSC.fr |access-date=27 October 2022}}</ref> In early March 2020, the Northmen were in 4th place with 49 points after 28 rounds. However, the [[2019–20 Ligue 1|Ligue 1 season]] ended abruptly as the [[Ligue de Football Professionnel|LFP]] first suspended domestic leagues indefinitely following the outbreak of [[COVID-19 pandemic in France|COVID-19 in France]] on 13 March, and then definitely cancelled French football competitions a month and a half later.<ref>{{cite web |language=en |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52460468 |title=Ligue 1 & 2: France's top two divisions will not resume this season |date=28 April 2020 |website=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=27 October 2022 |archive-date=28 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428150855/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52460468 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the 2020 summer transfer window, Lille chose to sign young talents [[Sven Botman]] and [[Jonathan David]] as well as veteran [[Burak Yılmaz]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://theathletic.com/news/lille-title-psg-ligue-1/J3RIEgvzsETC |title=Lille win Ligue 1 title as PSG battle goes down to the wire |last=Bosher |first=Luke |date=24 May 2021 |website=[[The Athletic]] |access-date=27 October 2022 |archive-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706074635/https://theathletic.com/news/lille-title-psg-ligue-1/J3RIEgvzsETC/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At the end of the [[2020–21 Ligue 1|2020–21 season]] first half, Lille had only lost two games and was well installed in the top league rankings, having defeated [[Derby du Nord]] rivals [[RC Lens|Lens]] in a 4–0 home win on 18 October 2020.<ref>{{cite web |language=en |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2020/10/18/depay-stars-as-lyon-beats-strasbourg-3-2-monaco-draws-1-1/42853961 |title=Leader Lille 2 points clear of PSG after beating Lens 4-0 |date=18 October 2020 |website=[[USA Today]] |access-date=27 October 2021 |archive-date=9 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609062531/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2020/10/18/depay-stars-as-lyon-beats-strasbourg-3-2-monaco-draws-1-1/42853961/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Mastiffs started the second part of the season with a six-game winning streak and lost only once until the end. On 3 April 2021, Lille won at Paris with a Jonathan David goal and took over sole possession of first place in the league.<ref>{{cite web |language=en |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/06/lille-win-psg-a-reminder-fame-ligue-1-france-title-race |title=Lille's win over PSG shows that fame only takes you so far in Ligue 1 |last1=White |first1=Adam |last2=Devin |first2=Eric |date=6 April 2021 |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=27 October 2021 |archive-date=9 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609062531/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/06/lille-win-psg-a-reminder-fame-ligue-1-france-title-race |url-status=live }}</ref> Three weeks later, Lille came back from two goals down to beat [[Olympique Lyonnais|Lyon]] at [[Groupama Stadium]] as Burak Yılmaz scored twice including a 27-yard free kick in a breathtaking 3–2 away win.<ref>{{cite web |language=en |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1620623/yilmaz-double-helps-lille-rally-against-lyon-to-reclaim-top-spot |title=Yilmaz double helps Lille rally against Lyon to reclaim top spot |date=27 April 2021 |website=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |access-date=27 October 2021 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314053531/https://www.dawn.com/news/1620623/yilmaz-double-helps-lille-rally-against-lyon-to-reclaim-top-spot |url-status=live }}</ref> Lille then defeated local rivals once again, scoring three goals at Lens and prevailing in the season with an aggregate score of 7–0.<ref>{{cite web |language=fr |url=https://www.lepetitlillois.com/2021/05/08/jonathan-david-franchement-cest-beau-ce-quon-a-fait-contre-lens |title=Jonathan David : " Franchement, c'est beau ce qu'on a fait contre Lens " |last=Moniot |first=Pierrick |date=8 May 2021 |website=Le Petit Lillois |access-date=27 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313160531/https://www.lepetitlillois.com/2021/05/08/jonathan-david-franchement-cest-beau-ce-quon-a-fait-contre-lens |archive-date=13 March 2023}}</ref> On 23 May, Lille sealed the Ligue 1 title with a 2–1 victory at [[Angers SCO|Angers]] after a dramatic Ligue 1 final round and won its fourth Ligue 1 title under the guidance of manager Christophe Galtier. At the end of the season, goalkeeper [[Mike Maignan]] finished the season with 21 clean sheets, one short of the league season all-time record.<ref>{{cite web |language=en |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/may/24/lille-ligue-1-title-decade-christophe-galtier |title=Lille hold their nerve to clinch their first Ligue 1 title for a decade |last1=White |first1=Adam |last2=Devin |first2=Eric |date=23 May 2021 |website=[[The Guardian]] |accessdate=24 May 2021 |archive-date=7 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107044942/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/may/24/lille-ligue-1-title-decade-christophe-galtier |url-status=live }}</ref> Competing also in the [[2020–21 UEFA Europa League]], they defeated AC Milan at San Siro, on 5 November 2020, in a big 3–0 away win with a hat-trick from Yusuf Yazıcı, but lost to [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] in [[2020–21 UEFA Europa League knockout phase#Round of 32|round of 32]].<ref>{{cite web |language=fr |url=https://www.20minutes.fr/sport/2985963-20210225-ajax-losc-lille-quitte-europe-rougir |title=Ajax-LOSC : Lille quitte l'Europe sans rougir |last=Launay |first=François |date=25 February 2021 |website=[[20 minutes (France)|20 minutes]] |access-date=27 October 2022 |archive-date=27 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027084236/https://www.20minutes.fr/sport/2985963-20210225-ajax-losc-lille-quitte-europe-rougir |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Further stages and European maturity (2021–present)===
In the [[2021–22 Lille OSC season|2021–22 season]], Lille won its first [[Trophée des Champions]], defeating Paris Saint-Germain with a [[Xeka]] goal at [[Bloomfield Stadium]] in [[Tel Aviv]], Israel on 1 August 2021.<ref>{{cite web |language=fr |url=https://www.ligue1.fr/Articles/ACTU/2021/08/01/le-losc-s-offre-le-trophee-des-champions |title=Le LOSC s'offre son 1er Trophée des Champions |date=1 August 2021 |publisher=Ligue 1 |access-date=1 August 2021 |archive-date=1 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801200753/https://www.ligue1.fr/Articles/ACTU/2021/08/01/le-losc-s-offre-le-trophee-des-champions |url-status=live }}</ref> The Northmen then reached [[UEFA Champions League]] round of 16 and are defeated by [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], after qualifying from the group stage against [[FC Red Bull Salzburg|Salzburg]], [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] and [[VfL Wolfsburg|Wolfsburg]]. According to an analysis report published at the end of the [[2021–22 Ligue 1|Ligue 1 season]], Lille is the fourth best French club in Ligue 1, in the 21st century, behind Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon and Marseille.<ref>{{cite web |language=fr |url=https://www.lepetitlillois.com/2022/05/17/le-losc-4eme-meilleur-club-de-lelite-au-21eme-siecle |title=Le LOSC 4ème meilleur club de l'élite au 21ème siècle |last=Da Rocha |first=Joseph |date=17 May 2022 |website=Le Petit Lillois |access-date=21 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313160641/https://www.lepetitlillois.com/2022/05/17/le-losc-4eme-meilleur-club-de-lelite-au-21eme-siecle |archive-date=13 March 2023}}</ref>

On 29 June 2022, the club appointed [[Paulo Fonseca]] as new head coach of the first-team.<ref name="LOSC2906">{{cite web |language=fr |url=https://www.losc.fr/node/9608 |title=Le LOSC a choisi Paulo Fonseca comme nouvel entraîneur |date=29 June 2022 |website=LOSC.fr |access-date=30 June 2022 |archive-date=21 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921032445/https://www.losc.fr/node/9608 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[2022–23 Lille OSC season|2022–23 season]] started very well for the Northmen as they defeated [[AJ Auxerre|Auxerre]], on 7 August, in a 4–1 home win.<ref>{{cite web |language=en |url=https://portugoal.net/portuguese-abroad/2693-paulo-fonseca-off-to-perfect-start-in-france-with-lille |title=Paulo Fonseca off to 'perfect start' in France with Lille |last=Gillen |first=Sean |date=8 August 2022 |website=PortuGOAL |access-date=4 September 2022 |archive-date=4 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904130322/https://portugoal.net/portuguese-abroad/2693-paulo-fonseca-off-to-perfect-start-in-france-with-lille |url-status=live }}</ref> On 9 October, they defeated close rivals Lens in a 1–0 home win.<ref>{{cite web |language=fr |url=https://www.losc.fr/match/2022-2023/ligue-1-uber-eats/lille-vs-lens |title=Lille vs Lens |date=9 October 2022 |website=LOSC.fr |access-date=27 October 2022 |archive-date=27 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027021448/https://www.losc.fr/match/2022-2023/ligue-1-uber-eats/lille-vs-lens |url-status=live }}</ref> Being one of the best offensive teams in the league, Fonseca's Lille is praised for its stylish, slick passing game and its attacking system. Since the beginning of the season, Lille have played in an open, offensive [[Formation (association football)#4–2–3–1|4–2–3–1 formation]] with Benjamin André, [[André Gomes]] or [[Angel Gomes]] playing as [[Midfielder#Central midfielder|central midfielder]]s behind playmaker [[Rémy Cabella]] and lone striker Jonathan David. Following 4–3 home win over Monaco on 23 October, only Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain have had more possession in France in the [[2022–23 Ligue 1|2022–23 Ligue 1 season]].<ref>{{cite web |language=en |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/oct/24/lille-attack-defence-paulo-fonseca-monaco |title=Attack is proving the best form of defence for Lille and Paulo Fonseca |last=Devin |first=Eric |date=24 October 2022 |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=27 October 2022 |archive-date=9 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609062531/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/oct/24/lille-attack-defence-paulo-fonseca-monaco |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language=fr |url=https://www.losc.fr/actualites/2022-10-27/lepisode-13-lyon-pour-continuer-de-briller |title=L'épisode 13 : À Lyon, pour continuer de briller |last=Lejeune |first=Adrien |date=27 October 2022 |website=LOSC.fr |access-date=28 October 2022 |archive-date=28 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028070712/https://www.losc.fr/actualites/2022-10-27/lepisode-13-lyon-pour-continuer-de-briller |url-status=live }}</ref>