Lyon (AFP)

Lyon and its president Jean-Michel Aulas, looking for a coach after the ousting of Brazilian Sylvinho on Monday, have tried an approach with Jose Mourinho, and already met Laurent Blanc, OL boss told Thursday.

Regarding Mourinho, "we had quite flattering discussions by SMS, it's rewarding for everyone, he did not follow up on our meeting proposal because he chose another project," Jean-Claude said in the morning. Michel Aulas during a conference call.

The president of the Rhone club also confirmed on the channel L'Equipe have met Laurent Blanc Thursday in Paris, after being vague on the rumors that circulate since Monday and including that leading to the former coach of the Blues.

"If it were my priority, I would not tell you," he said earlier in the conference call, also grateful to appreciate the current Nice coach Patrick Vieira. "Unfortunately, he is under contract, he is not free," recalled the strong man of OL.

The hypothesis of a return to Olympique Lyonnais Rémi Garde, recently dismissed from Montreal Impact (Canada) and returned to Lyon, seems doubtful.

"He has not been contacted yet, so far he has not come forward, but maybe he is going to do it," said Jean-Michel Aulas of one of his elders coaches (2011-2014).

Other names of technicians are mentioned as that of the former coach of Marseille and Lille, Rudi Garcia, or even the Argentine Jorge Sampaoli (Santos, 1st Brazilian div), who does not speak French and had already been mentioned at spring to succeed Bruno Genesio.

But Jean-Michel Aulas leans rather for the appointment of an experienced technician and knowing Ligue 1.

Gérald Baticle, Sylvinho's deputy after being that of Genesio, could he see his acting continue at least until the winter break?

"This is not the meaning of history but to the impossible no one is held" replied JMA "even if he (Baticle) ensures the transition effectively".

"The decision will be made in a collegiate manner but it is Juninho, the sports director, who will make the final decision," he said, recalling that "many coaches were interested in Lyon".

"Some names are out in the press, but not all.We are not immune to a surprise," warned Jean-Michel Aulas.

"Juninho, who made the decision on the change of coach, will be able to express himself when he has decided it.Also solve the problem with Sylvinho.Legal, we are not too bad," stressed the president of the OL.

The latter has set a goal of returning to the podium by the winter break. After nine days, Lyon is 14th with nine points, seven laps from the third, Angers.

© 2019 AFP