Europe 1 with AFP 4:14 p.m., October 09, 2022
OL coach Peter Bosz was sacked after poor results in Ligue 1. To replace him, the club turned to an emblematic figure of French football, Laurent Blanc, free of any contract after a spell at the Qatari club 'Al-Rayyan which ended last February.
Olympique Lyonnais is negotiating with former French coach Laurent Blanc to take the reins of the first team, we learned in the entourage of the 1998 world champion, tipped to replace the Dutchman Peter Bosz, on the departure after a series of bad results.
The former coach of Bordeaux (2007-2010) and Paris SG (2013-2016) has been talking with OL for several days, AFP learned from this source participating in the negotiations, confirming information from the sports daily L' Crew.
Bosz turned to exit after poor results
According to RMC radio, "the departure of the Dutch coach was recorded on Saturday afternoon during a meeting with the Lyon management".
L'Équipe confirms that Bosz was "received on Saturday at the end of the afternoon by President Jean-Michel Aulas and the director of football, Vincent Ponsot".
AFP tried to contact the president of OL to confirm Bosz's departure, but the Lyon leader could not be reached.
This decision which, according to L'Équipe, should be made official soon, was taken when OL were held in check by promoted Toulouse on Friday in front of their home crowd (1-1) after four defeats in a row and points to the 7th provisional place in the L1 championship, with 14 points.
According to RMC, former OL player Claudio Caçapa, who was one of Bosz's assistants, will initially take over as interim.
OL's next match is scheduled for October 16 in Rennes, as part of the 11th day of L1.
Laurent Blanc close to a big comeback
In just over a year in office, Bosz has never managed to develop the polished game promised on his arrival, finishing in a disappointing 8th place in L1 in May 2022, without European qualification, and stagnating in the middle of the table after 10 days this season.
Only clearing: a quarter-final of the Europa League last spring, lost against West Ham (0-3, 1-1).
The break also seemed consumed with its workforce, the captain and striker Alexandre Lacazette having publicly questioned the tactical choices of Bosz (58) on Friday evening.
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Laurent Blanc coach of OL?
"I'm thinking about it", replies Aulas
To take over the bench of OL, whose capital is being bought by the American businessman John Textor, the Lyon leaders therefore seem to want to turn to Laurent Blanc, free of any contract since his dismissal by the club. Qatari Al-Rayyan in February.
Blanc, 56, has not coached in L1 since leaving Paris SG in 2016.
The former French international defender (97 caps) had already been mentioned to succeed Sylvinho in October 2019, before Jean-Michel Aulas' choice fell on Rudi Garcia (2019-2021).
In just six seasons as L1 coach, three in Bordeaux and as many at Paris SG, the "President", who worked for Naples, Marseille, Barcelona and Manchester United, has forged an impressive record, including four French championship titles. , including three in the capital.