And if ?
What if Paris Saint-Germain, 7 times French champion over the last 8 seasons, fell from its pedestal as in 2017, ahead of AS Monaco?
And if it was Olympique Lyonnais who doubled Lille and its "vulture fund (Elliott Management, an American company, editor's note), a PSG with an overpowered Qatar, and a Monaco led by Russian investors", as it is put in scene Jean-Michel Aulas?
In a lively interview given to our colleagues from
L'Équipe
, the president of Olympique Lyonnais believes that "it would still be a funny snub, being Franco-French and local entrepreneur, to succeed in beating these big powers".
OL are second to LOSC in the Ligue 1 standings with 3 points behind.
PSG, 3rd, has only one point less, and Monaco is two lengths from the Parisians.
Nothing is decided when there are 12 days of the championship to go.
And the outcome of the Lyon season could have consequences on the identity of his coach.
“I don't want to stop.
The moment would be badly chosen. "
Jean-Michel Aulas
Launched on the future of Rudi Garcia, at the end of his contract in Lyon next June, Aulas kept the blurry.
"If Rudi can arrive at the end of the season with objectives achieved, we will have the same vision as in the past, we will judge both on his performance and on the potential to be able to continue," commented Aulas.
Appointed in October 2019, Rudi Garcia disappointed in the league with a 7th place in the standings, depriving OL of European competition for the first time in more than 20 years.
But the journey to the Champions League semi-final in Final 8 offered him a reprieve, despite tensions with sporting director Juninho.
"If there was a very, very good news, obviously that everything would be possible", added Aulas, suggesting that a title of champion of France could lead to an extension of the former Marseille coach.
Maripan's goal against PSG last Sunday (0-2)
Qualifying for the Champions League, a necessity for OL
Skillful communicator, Jean-Michel Aulas is somewhat out of his role when Gérard Houllier was mentioned, his former advisor and great figure of Lyon who died on December 14, 2020 at the age of 73.
His mourning, Aulas did "not completely".
"Every day, when there are sports decisions to be made, for boys and girls, my first reaction is to say to myself: 'I'm going to ask Gérard ..." ", Aulas said. About the "best DTN (National Technical Director, editor's note) of the last thirty years, leader, advisor, coach, coach of big clubs".
Against all odds, Aulas advances.
And maintains the pressure on his club, stressing that it will be necessary to reduce recruitment "if we do not participate in the Champions League" and "if the crisis lasts beyond June 30".
Trying conditions for Jean-Michel Aulas, 71, who conceded a gradual withdrawal in the years to come.
But there is no rush: “I don't want to stop.
The timing would be ill-chosen: the pandemic must end, we have heavy investments underway, and I do not want to go out in conditions that threaten the identity of the club.
But we have to prepare for the rest. ”
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