They are back ! On March 13, the players of Olympique Lyonnais met at the Groupama OL Training Center for a somewhat special training session. This was organized in place of the Ligue 1 match scheduled for that day against the Stade de Reims. The meeting had, in fact, been postponed following the coronavirus epidemic. In the end, the Gones will not play this match and all the rest of Ligue 1 since it was decided that the 2019-20 fiscal year would not come to an end. This, despite Jean-Michel Aulas’ repeated attempts to make the season resume as with our foreign neighbors. About three months later, OL’s players returned to training on Monday, June 8. A session organized behind closed doors in compliance with the health rules in force. The Olympians were delighted to meet again, they who maintained contact and who had a program to follow during confinement.
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A period during which the residents of Groupama Stadium were not idle. And if we imagine that the Rhone team has advanced on the next transfer window, it also had to manage a parallel transfer window. Because it is not on the side of the players that things have changed in Lyon in recent weeks. The most significant change occurred in management since Florian Maurice, head of the recruitment unit, left office. A big start as the former French striker has done a good job overall in recent years. But his understanding with Juninho, with whom his functions were more or less similar, would not have been very good. And it is on the Stade Rennais side that Florian Maurice will continue to exercise his talents.
Things are moving in Lyon!
To replace him, Lyon was spoiled for choice. But finally, on May 26, the club decided to bet on a different profile, but one that will integrate with Rhodanian thinking heads. “Bruno Cheyrou, 42, becomes responsible for recruiting Olympique Lyonnais where he will succeed Florian Maurice. The former midfielder does not land in unknown territory because he moved under the orders of Gérard Houllier in Liverpool. He also rubbed shoulders with Juninho at the Center for Law and Economics of Sport in Limoges (CDES) where they obtained the UEFA MIP (Executive Master for International Players). Bruno Cheyrou therefore arrives at OL with a solid reputation, a network and a recognized flair. He had notably suggested informally the name of Memphis Depay to the management of Olympique Lyonnais “.
Cheyrou will have to work hand in hand with Juninho and above all be efficient in Lyon, where we will wait until he proves himself very quickly during the next transfer window. A transfer window that has already started in the staff of Rudi Garcia. One of the physiotherapists, Patrick Perret, has retired. Back in 2018 at OL, Grégory Coupet left his post as goalkeeper coach to everyone’s surprise. He was coming to the end of the contract on June 30 and had, according to him, no news from the club. But he was quick to rebound since Dijon recruited him very quickly at the end of May. To replace him, the Gones did not drag either since they decided to appoint Christophe Revel (41 years old) on June 2. Passed by Rennes, Lorient or the selection of Morocco, he will now lead the Lyon porter.
Garcia staff changes
“It’s a big French club, a European club that has a history, a present, that touches people’s minds. I know I’m coming to a place apart. This is also what I like “, notably entrusted the new goalkeeper coach to the official website. In addition to the arrival of Revel, OL also formalized another recruit in the staff. “Olympique Lyonnais also announces the recruitment of Alexandre Farhi, from FC Nantes, who joins the staff as a physical trainer for the professional group. He also signed up for a year. “. An arrival which will lead to a priori departure. According to our colleagues from Radio scoop, Antonin Da Fonseca will no longer be on the staff.
The Gones coach, who on his arrival did not want to upset the staff in place by coming only with Claude Fichaux (assistant) and Christophe Prudhon (supervisor) before bringing Paolo Rongoni (physical trainer), is in putting his paw gently but surely The French technician has all the cards in his hands to carry out his mission in Lyon, where he will not have the right to make mistakes. Unlike this season, he will know his staff and his players and can have a real look at the transfer window. Rudi Garcia will therefore play big, like Claude Fichaux, Gérald Baticle or Claudio Caçapa. All will be at the end of the contract in June 2021 and will have an interest in making OL a great season, on pain of not being renewed.
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