OL hammer it home, the club is preparing “a new ambitious project, thanks to a workforce rich in high-level individuals”.
But after the surprise defeat against Nice (2-3), Sunday evening, a real blow, we will first have to put the machine back on the road.
The challenges are many, immense and above all complex.
With different projects to take up.
Overview.
A chaotic end of the season
Disappointed supporters, a coach who leaves by the very small door… Lyon woke up with a big hangover on Monday.
Without the European Cup to play this season, OL had as a minimum objective the podium in the league.
Goal missed.
If Garcia, unloved since his arrival in the Rhône in October 2019, takes the door, the critics do not spare Jean-Michel Aulas, the president and Juninho, the sporting director.
Far from there.
"It has been a long time since I decided not to continue trying to achieve the best possible results in these conditions," said the starter Garcia after the setback which disqualified Lyon from the Champions League.
Read also League 1: Rudi Garcia and Lyon, it's over
OL seemed to have all the cards in hand this season.
He messed it up again.
“One day it will be necessary to arise and resolve this problem of the coach, who always returns to Lyon, blows an agent who often works with the club.
In the last four coaches, Garcia was going very badly, Sylvinho and Fournier were fired, Genesio it ended in an incredible situation.
This club is stable everywhere except in this key position.
"
Without C1, no money?
Despite a model, the best of France for many, the Rhone club suffered from the pandemic, the crisis of TV rights with in particular a net loss of 50.6 million euros during the last six months of the year 2020. The first half of 2021 will also be very bad financially with an empty stadium and very little inflow.
A Champions League qualification would have clearly been welcome for the club's finances.
"But this is in no way a stop", we are hammered internally.
The Lyonnais proclaim it over and over, they will continue to be ambitious.
Including on the transfer market this summer.
"If we can not do ambitious things in terms of buying players, it means that the other clubs will not be able, proclaimed Jean-Michel Aulas, the president, at the end of March in our columns.
The Lyon model will allow us to be ready as soon as we resume
(Editor's note: after the Covid-19)
.
We will be ambitious no matter what.
“Despite a new season without C1, the Rhône club intends to make a few hits on the market this summer.
They will be very targeted.
A new coach within ten days
The first and most anticipated project is that of the new trainer. Gallardo was very popular internally but he is not available. The Jardim, Favre and Bosz slopes are studied. The Galtier hypothesis exists but OL are far behind Nice. Juninho, the sporting director, does not want to change roles and be on the bench. Many observers criticize Lyon's leaders for not having sufficiently anticipated the future when Garcia's had been sealed for a long time.
What is certain is that Jean-Michel Aulas and Juninho intend to go very quickly on their choice. Within ten days maximum. For afterwards to lean with gusto on the transfer window. As explained previously, targeted operations are planned. No revolution. No significant mass departures, other than Memphis Depay. “Anyway, with the Covid-19, it will be a completely atypical transfer window. Do not expect big sales, a source tells us at the club. It will be necessary to be smart. In short, there will be no large-scale operations. Big buys or big sales. A refocusing on the training center, too neglected by Garcia according to many, is also planned. But the goal will remain the same. Find a podium that escapes Lyon since 2019 and the end of the Genesio era.