After retiring from professional football, Jean-Michel Vandamme became Lille first-team assistant coach in 1984.
[2] In 1993, after this short experience, he returned to Lille and was appointed as academy general manager of the Northmen.
[2] Vandamme left his longtime club in 2018 with Luis Campos' arrival as Lille new technical advisor under Gérard Lopez presidency.
[4] Under his watch as academy general manager, Lille renowned youth programme has produced many talents over the years.
Eden Hazard, Yohan Cabaye, Mathieu Debuchy, Idrissa Gueye, Lucas Digne, Divock Origi, Benjamin Pavard or Martin Terrier have come through the ranks and are just some of the talents who have played for the club.