It is an earthquake that hit Lyon, four days before the end of the Ligue 1 season. Jean-Michel Aulas is no longer the president of OL, which he had already sold to American businessman John Textor. He remains the honorary president. Why such a sudden departure? What will Aulas do in the future? Let's take stock.
To discover
- Ligue 1 schedule and results
- Ligue 1 standings
Aulas or OL, who decided on his departure?
This is not a resignation. Jean-Michel Aulas was pushed out by "his" club. In its press release, Olympique Lyonnais specifies that "the Board of Directors of OL Groupe has appointed Mr. John Textor" chairman, and "for an interim period". Aulas, for his part, "will be named honorary president". A decision that Aulas, 74, could not stop. Even if the leader knew that the end was near, after 35 years on the banks of the Rhône. The sale of the club, in 2022, already indicated that time was running out.
SEE ALSO – John Textor, owner of OL in June 2022: "There is an incredible balance here in sport and entertainment
»Why is Aulas leaving OL now?
The timing can be questionable. Why didn't Olympique Lyonnais wait until the end of the season to turn the page on Aulas? The fact is that tension has only escalated in recent months between John Textor, the new boss and owner of OL, and Aulas, who was initially supposed to remain executive chairman until 2025.
Perhaps the Lyon management saw a possible electroshock for Laurent Blanc's players in view of the race for Europe in Ligue 1? The decision, ratified on May 5, was only known after OL's crazy victory against Montpellier on Sunday (5-4), which brought the club back to three points of Lille, 5th. There are four days left in Lyon to believe in an unexpected rise in the rankings. And end the Aulas era on a positive note.
Is this a surprise?
Yes and no. No one saw the news coming so abruptly. But with hindsight, one could imagine that Aulas would not go to the end of this planned three-year mandate (2022-2025). To put it simply: Aulas thought he would remain the club's main decision-maker, but some of his choices did not please Textor, who did not hesitate to let him know.
" READ ALSO Ligue 1: Aulas, leader of men, strategist, media animal, tireless builder and key figure of OL
The American was not satisfied with the sporting results of OL, currently 7th in Ligue 1, absent from European cups this season and who have not won a trophy since 2012. He was also frustrated with the method. The head of recruitment, Bruno Cheyrou, does not have his favors. On the transfer window, moreover, Textor pushed this winter to recruit the Brazilian João Gomes, while Aulas supported the track Ellyes Skhiri. In the end, neither milieu came. Gomes signed for Wolverhampton, England. A symbolic tension of dissent in the Lyon offices.
What future for OL?
It is high time for John Textor to show what he can do. Interim president, the American will be able to start his palace revolution at OL. Bruno Cheyrou, head of the recruitment cell, could well be thanked in turn. Since this winter, the whole cell has been walking on eggshells.
Will Bruno Cheyrou still be at OL next season? Frédéric Chambert / PANORAMIC
Laurent Blanc, coach linked until June 2024, does not seem threatened. Vincent Ponsot, director of football, has reason to ask questions. It remains to be seen if OL will be European next season and what Textor will aim for to get back on track. "The priority of the new Chairman and CEO and the Board of Directors will be to strengthen Olympique Lyonnais' place on the world football scene, in line with the highest ambitions of its illustrious history," the club said in its statement.
What will Aulas do?
No matter what the government decides on the retirement age, Jean-Michel Aulas' retirement age will wait. At 74 years old, the native of L'Arbresle (Rhône) will officiate as honorary president of OL. If John Textor has a question, he can always call him. But Aulas should greatly distance himself from "his" club.
As L'Équipe points out, the Rhodanien has "views on the presidency of the future Women's League". In France, women's football, in the process of professionalization, owes a proud candle to Aulas, whose OL won 8 Champions Leagues between 2011 and 2022. Member of the Executive Committee of the French Football Federation (FFF), he also saw his name point among the potential future presidents, after the resignation of Noël Le Graët. He probably won't, but he will remain involved. He had also played a role in the appointment of Hervé Renard as coach of Les Bleues.
Olympique Lyonnais: the Jean-Michel Aulas years
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