Matthias Gurtler's departure from L’Équipe was officially announced by Rolf Heinz, the group's General Director, indicating a significant shift in the leadership of the renowned French sports newspaper. This announcement follows Gurtler facing a motion of no confidence in November last year, which led to his absence from the journal since then. During his tenure, Gurtler was credited for implementing a strategic plan that aimed to rejuvenate the publication and enhance its reach in the competitive sports media landscape.

Rolf Heinz expressed his gratitude towards Gurtler, acknowledging the strong momentum he created in executing their strategic initiatives. Under Gurtler's leadership, L’Équipe had undergone notable transformations that aimed to modernize its operations and improve engagement with its readership across various platforms. The changes reflect a broader trend within media organizations to adapt and evolve according to the demands of contemporary audiences.

The leadership change at L’Équipe raises questions about the future direction of the publication, especially as it seeks to navigate the challenges of digital transformation and competition from emerging media outlets. The outcome of this transition might significantly impact L’Équipe’s market position and internal culture as new leadership strategies and visions are introduced in the coming months.