With almost one year of the end of his contract at Lille, Christophe Galtier is a coach in great demand.
While the summer promises to be hot on the benches with situations to be resolved or unclear in Angers, Montpellier, Bordeaux, Nice, Strasbourg and Nantes, that of Lyon remains highly coveted.
Officially, Rudi Garcia is on hold and no decision has been taken on his contract extension.
This Tuesday, Jean-Michel Aulas, the president of OL, recalled the data of the problem at a press conference.
“The situation has not changed.
We took, after reflection, the decision not to sign up before the end of the season, not to annoy you or make the suspense last, but because we think it's best for everyone ” , exposes the boss, recently reelected to the executive committee of the French Federation on the list of Noël Le Graët.
As an experienced leader, a fine connoisseur of national competitions and the final sprint in the championship, he knows that publicly discussing the future of Rudi Garcia contains its share of pitfalls.
The technician is still in the race to win the league title after which the club has been racing since 2008. Third three points behind Lille and PSG, Lyon retains all its chances of being crowned even if Paris has become the favorite again after its victory on March 21… at Groupama Stadium.
The transplant never really caught on with Garcia
"We have in mind to go as high as possible," confirms Aulas.
Everything is possible and we must above all finish very strong, which has been the hallmark of the club in recent years.
"And the strong man of French football to certify:" There was no contact made with any coach, all those who think they know do not know and are more likely to be wrong than to tell the truth.
It would be awkward of me to tell you otherwise.
"
The malicious president knows the environment too well to have indeed contacted any coach, free or already in place.
On the other hand, he thinks very hard, probing his usual stints to find Garcia's successor.
Because whatever the outcome of the season, the ex of Roma or OM no longer have many chances of further training the Rhône in the future.
For various reasons, the transplant never really took even with attractive results: a semi-final of the Champions League in 2020, a third place still promising today.
Management, communication and playing skills
Among the most credible leads is Christophe Galtier.
Whatever his status - favorite or well placed -, the coach of Lille continues to please Lyon enormously, where he officiated as assistant to Alain Perrin during the 2007-2008 fiscal year.
“He has always had very good relations with all the leaders in Lyon, in particular with the president, explained Alain Blachon, his deputy in Saint-Etienne between 2010 and 2015, in May 2019. He knows how to be loved.
This relational intelligence, this social know-how counts and weighs in a club where the lack of links and fluidity sometimes hinders the machine, between Rudi Garcia, Juninho, the sports director, or Bruno Cheyrou, the recruiting manager.
Three centers of influence which do not always coexist in the greatest harmony.
Above, Aulas and his right arm, Vincent Ponsot, the director of football, decide as a last resort.
They embody power.
Galtier, 55 years old in August, appeals above all for his qualities of management, communication and play. In Saint-Etienne as in Lille, he has succeeded in making his teams progress as players, which
ultimately
allows them
to be valued. and sell them well.
In the North, he feels that a page is turning, in particular with the arrival of the Merlyn Partners fund, now in charge.
His performances with Losc remain high with in particular a second place in 2019, a fourth in 2020, the title race this season.
For Lyon, he brings together all the qualities to take charge of the team's destinies from next summer.