Ultras are not always recognized for their poetry. Friday, October 7, just before the kick-off of Lyon-Toulouse and after a string of four defeats for their protégés, the Bad Gones denied the stereotypes by using finesse on their banner: “ More words, more words, the same evil… I don’t know how to tell you anymore. »
However, the message sent to the players and management was not heard. Theirs Days after yet another disappointing result – a 1-1 draw – Olympique Lyonnais coach Peter Bosz was sacked on Sunday, October 9, seven months after the end of his contract scheduled for June 2023.
The decision seemed inevitable for a club that hasn’t won a single game since September 3 (5-0 against Angers) and wants to return to the Champions League at the end of the season: “Given the disappointing results at the start of the season, which are well below expectations and the targets set, Olympique Lyonnais announces the dismissal on a protective basis of Peter Bosz. »announced the Rhône club on Sunday evening in a press release. To replace him, the arrival of Laurent Blanc, who has not trained at a high level since his ouster from PSG in 2016, has also been formalized until June 30, 2024.
If the main group of Lyon supporters took over Dalida for the time of a banner, the role of Alain Delon in the song would Lyrics, lyrics, lyrics seems to fall for Jean-Michel Aulas, a follower of proactive communication on social networks and who after thirty-five years of presidency is running out of steam. As his last tweet the day before the meeting: “I’ve talked to our players, I’ve transferred all your energy because I know we all want the same thing: rediscover the taste of victory! »
Football is our passion, OL is our whole life. I spoke to our players, I already have your… https://t.co/R8WxEycaLk . passed
During these 10e On the day of Ligue 1, the words of the most famous president of French football did not have the desired effect, as his players were unable to beat the newly promoted Toulouse at home. The evil that has been seen since the start of the season, but also since the 2021-2022 season ended in the 8e place – the worst since 1997 – is only getting worse. And this new poor performance, which Lyon already relegated to 12 points from the Paris leader, 11 points from the runner-up of Lorient and 9 points from OM, third, was therefore fatal for the Dutch coach, in office since May 29, 2021. .
An untenable situation
Bosz’s position had become untenable. And if he is by no means the only culprit, the former Ajax Amsterdam coach has responsibilities in this failure. Landed in the Rhone with the ambition of a football “attractive and offensive”As he enjoyed hammering away at it over the months, even when the evidence on the pitch contradicted him, he was never able to convey his philosophy of play to his players.
After the already complicated experiences of former coaches Bruno Génésio and Rudi Garcia, who had difficult relationships with many of the supporters, Peter Bosz had nevertheless benefited from the patience of the public and his management.
The start of the season for the Lyon players, winners of four of their first five games, was nothing but a mirage. The successes were achieved against modest opponents, and the manner in which was not reassuring. This often pathetic OL could not resist the revelation of more difficult confrontations, losing in Lorient (3-1), Monaco (1-0), against PSG (1-0) and Lens (1-0).
The rift between the coach and his players was finalized after the last draw. Back to the club after a few years in exile in England, striker Alexandre Lacazette – called captain by Bosz – dropped the beans on the microphone of the Prime Video broadcaster at the final whistle.
He first regretted the departure of his friend from the attack Moussa Dembélé. When asked about Bosz’s future, he didn’t show much enthusiasm: “It’s not up to me to decide whether he stays or not, it’s up to the president, the sporting director, the board to decide. I’m here to play, I just want to win games.”
But if Lyon, seven-time champions of France in the 2000s, has not won a single trophy since a Coupe de France in 2012, it is general sporting policy that is responsible. Sports director Juninho had a power struggle with the director of football, Vincent Ponsot, former legal director of the Professional Football League at the end of 2021.
Exhausted by internal conflict, the club’s former Brazilian glory had slammed the door after just two years in office. Since then, he has never agreed to renew the dialogue with Jean-Michel Aulas, despite attempts by the president.
“Aulas is surrounded by incompetents”
It is a new duo – Vincent Ponsot associated with Bruno Cheyrou, the technical director in charge of recruitment in particular – who have taken over sports policy. An incongruity for Juninho, new advisor to RMC Sport radio since the beginning of the school year, who spoke to Peter Bosz after an ultimatum from Ponsot: “ You are already talking about football, you are not a sports director. Vincent Ponsot must not interfere. You meddle in public, you get your coach in trouble, it’s not done. »
This criticism is shared by other ex-players of “great” Lyon. After another defeat at Lens, Sidney Govou, who won Lyon’s seven French championship titles, also openly criticized the two men.
“Aulas is surrounded by incompetent peoplehe scolded. Only on semantics we call football representative Vincent Ponsot, someone who does not know football. He is a very competent man in his field. [le juridique] but the only press release was catastrophic. » Bruno Cheyrou was also targeted: “He’s a good guy, but he doesn’t know the networks to sell, which is the hardest part of recruiting. Gérard Houllier, for example, knew how to sell. »
Good evening Bruno Cheyrou, I would like to have your opinion on the recruitment of OM. #MercatOM | #TeamOM 🔵⚪️ https://t.co/Dzo8qTU3km
This summer, despite a certain propensity for boastfulness – he mocked OM’s recruiting at a press conference in early July following the departure of Olympic coach Jorge Sampaoli – Bruno Cheyrou did not particularly excel at his job. Despite the early arrival of two former products of the Lyon formation, Lacazette but also Corentin Tolisso, as well as the signing of one of the rare good surprises of the Lyon transfer window, the young Johann Lepenant, OL struggled to sell players he wanted to sell.
Only Léo Dubois left for Turkey for a modest amount. No professional right-back has been recruited to double the position of young Malo Gusto. Despite long-term defensive problems, we also failed to recruit a central defender as we were unable to eliminate the unwanted Jérôme Boateng and Damien Da Silva.
Lyon’s workforce has only lost quality. The club has again sold its best player, an easy solution to relieve the finances. After the Brazilian Guimaraes last winter (50 million euros), it was his compatriot Lucas Paqueta who came to England for 60 million euros. Both players were attracted thanks to Juninho.
While Olympique Lyonnais is in the process of finalizing the sale (the date has been set for October 21), the club is going through one of the most turbulent and uncertain periods in its history. Future American owner, John Textor, will be sure to take a closer look at the sports management of his new acquisition. Jean-Michel Aulas, who has been renewed at the head of the club for three years under the agreement with Textor, is under more pressure than ever.