Last January, when OL were only 13th, the Dutch technician, who arrived in June 2021, admitted: "Normally, I would have been fired in relation to the results by being 13th in a club which wants to play the Champions League".

"I would like to stay longer. I appreciate the confidence of the leaders and I am very well in this club. But I know that I have to win matches", he also admitted, aware of his very average record: 45% success in Ligue 1 (17 wins, 11 draws, 10 losses).

In his defense, the first choice of Olympique Lyonnais was Christophe Galtier, who then opted for Nice.

Subsequently, Bosz (58) did not master all the recruitment, nor the game in Ligue 1.

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He suffered events such as the resignation of sports director Juninho in the middle of the season, the loss of a point after serious extra-sporting incidents at the start of the Lyon-Marseille match on November 4, the elimination on green carpet in the Cup de France, there too after incidents in the stands against Paris FC (L2) in Charléty, and tensions between the club and its ultra supporters.

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But Bosz is not looking for excuses.

Especially since he is not free from reproach, unable to adapt to a workforce in which the players could not apply his precepts of attacking play and high pressing, which are too physically demanding for them.

Since the beginning of July and the resumption of training, the group has evolved a little.

Right-back Léo Dubois, downgraded during the season in favor of young Malo Gusto, trained at the club, was transferred to Galatasaray and Argentinian international Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax), was convinced to join OL.

This position was a priority.

But Lyon has above all succeeded in repatriating two of its locally trained stars, Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal) and Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich), at the end of the contract.

They had been transferred five years ago for nearly 100 million euros between them.

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Will this return to the club's DNA be effective?

Tolisso, often injured at Bayern, suffering from a calf, did not play any matches in July... He will have competition with the emergence of young Johan Lepenant, recruited in Caen (L2), and the return in form of Jeff Reine-Adelaide, excellent since the recovery.

Degreasing operation

Other recruits are expected, including a defensive midfielder, but above all, we must slim down, and seriously.

Because there are too many players for a club that is not European for the first time since 1997.

In 2020, Lyon, 7th, did not qualify for a European Cup but the Championship was interrupted ten days from the end...

During the preparation, Bosz immediately drew his base eleven to start the Championship with the potential holders.

Because we must not miss the start with supposedly affordable matches against Ajaccio, Lorient, Troyes, Reims, Auxerre, Angers, before going to Monaco and receiving PSG.

Otherwise, change could occur on the bench, especially since the American billionaire John Textor has just taken control of the club.

Even if Jean-Michel Aulas, president since 1987, remains, for the time being, operational at the head of OL.

Some central defenders (Da Silva, Boateng) and midfielders are called to leave (Aouar), even Moussa Dembélé in attack.

"They understood that they might have less playing time than others and they are looking for options, like us, to be able to play elsewhere," admitted recruitment director Bruno Cheyrou. after the victory over Feyenoord (2-0), on July 24.

On Saturday, OL managed a nice, intense and promising draw against Inter (2-2), having led 2-0 thanks to the returning Lacazette and the young Rayan Cherki.

The Rhone club will be able to calmly complete its recruitment to try to find the heights.

With or without Bosz.

© 2022 AFP