The end of this episode is near… What’s up for next one?

By: Megame | June 7th, 2011

Money, money, money… Is it just me, or is there a definite shift in the perceived focus of the club from the Champions League to the bankers league?
I guess that was unavoidable, as, like most European clubs, OL has been hit financially lately. And, among France’s leadership to install financial fair play in football, Jean-Michel Aulas can be considered as a good and responsible money manager, as shown by his club’s financial evolution under his tenure. So he is even more likely to actively tackle the club’s deficit.

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Anyway, I guess announcing excessive ambitions like “we will win the Champions League in 4 years” wasn’t too good either. It may have galvanised the troups for a -short- while, but if anything it probably hurt the club’s credibility, especially regarding its ability to compete with the big guns at European level.
So yes, we’re done with overspending, done with overpaying french clubs for players from Ligue 1, and being ripped off by Porto. Or are we? Actually, the club hasn’t really come forward to declare their ambitions. Why? Because there’s one thing to settle first : the coach.

Bye bye Claude
(I know this sounds like a PSG player wishing Makelele well for his retirement) Well we can’t say Puel is gone, because as I write these lines, he isn’t. But frankly, having nurtured a fracture with several players, with some of his staff, with the supporters, and with a fraction of the club’s management (Bernard L, anyone?) is no small achievement; it is only surpassed by the fact of having managed to make the best team of Ligue 1 on paper barely reaching 3d spot look like an amazing triumph. So one is kept wondering how on earth Puel could stay. Sorry, Jean-Michel, say it again? 3 million euros? Err.. sure, Puel could, and should, stay, then. Hell, I pray for this scenario to remain a bad joke.

Who’s the next maker of miracles in Lyon?
Seriously, as Puel is virtually gone, who should come on board, to try and put the club back to the highest orbit it should never have left ? To replace Claude P, several names have appeared in the press : Fernandez, Correa, Ranieri, Pellegrini, Gerets, Preudhomme… and Rémi Garde, well known… to his friends and family. OK, to a bit more, as he wore the Lyon jersey for 9 years before moving to Strasbourg and then Arsenal where he became the first foreign captain ever. Back at OL since 2003, he has been Le Guen’s, then Houiller’s deputy; then , in early 2010, became head of the Training and Development centre of the club, something he seems to have at heart. Well regarded by pretty much everyone you ask, he seems underambitious by current footballing standards: already asked by Aulas to be the new coach when Houiller left, he declined; he even was hinted in 2007 to become Arsenal’s Director of Football, which didn’t happen in the end. Again recently, in several interviews he was dismissing the opportunity to become coach, very focused apparently on his mission as Director of Training. And, even this time, it took him a week or two to finally accept. To be honest, being pushed forward by Bernard Lacombe, and given the club’s situation, I guess a “no” wasn’t an option… So he is the club’s internal option, with at least 4 advantages:
1- he knows the club and the players well, so can be operational quickly (which is important as training resumes in 1 month)
2- his personality is about the opposite of Puel’s, he is accepted and liked by everyone at the club
3- he’s managing the training centre, so is very well placed to promote the best young talents and help them grow in the top team, which is Aulas’ new direction
4- he’s the cheapest option, being already working at the club as a normal employee. “Cheapest” meaning that, bar a raise of his current salary, the club would “only” have to pay 3 million euros for Puel’s sacking.
Only issue: as the sacking is likely to end between lawyers and possibly in a tribunal, it’s not a good idea to already announce that Puel’s replacement has been decided yet. So shhht! Don’t tell anyone I told you.

As for Puel, he once was rumoured to be the target of FC Sevilla (like so many Lyon players!), but they just announced the recruitment of Marcelino Garcia. Too bad, Claude, I guess yo can leave your 3 millions in France for the time being. Or a bit less if JMA manages to negotiate well.
With him, Patrick Collot should also leave, and the rest of his staff, including the fitness coach Alexandre Dellal. To replace them, a likely scenario sees Bruno Genesio as the deputy coach, and the return of Alain Duverne as fitness coach, now that Houiller left Aston Villa.

Players roundup

Lisandro: weeks before the last and decisive matchday, he declared that he intended to stay for next season, whether Lyon was qualified for the Champions League or not. So he is likely to stay, although I’d bet any offer above 20 million € will get Aulas thinking.
Gomis: already rejected an -interesting- offer last summer to stay in Lyon, and seems equally likely to stay.. although a big check lands on the table.
Delgado: received a “creative” extension offer from the club, based on performance and fitness… he hasn’t signed it yet.
Briand: bankable, is supposedly on the transfer list
Bastos: Highly bankable, he’s virtually gone, in Italy or the UK.
Lacazette, Pied, Grenier, Gonalons: promising youth products of the club, likely to stay
Tafer: Failed to impress with 0 goal in 16 matches at Toulouse where he was on loan. Is back in Lyon with a brace of of question marks.
Ederson: bankable, likely to go to Italy
Gourcuff: anything else than staying would mean a big FAIL for Aulas, plus he’s helping bring sonsors and sell jerseys, so he stays
Kallström: eternal question. Never brilliant but never awful, he’s very reliable, always starts the seasons on the bench and ends them in the starting 11, hence his long tenure. Although this year, one parameter of the equation has more weight than before (his huge salary), and that could make all the difference. Galatasary are hot, they may snatch him finally.
Pjanic: ??? Eternal young hopeful at the beginning of the season, eternal so-so player in the end… Not too bankable yet, not too expensive, still promising, so likely to stay
Toulalan: said earlier this season he was considering retiring here… and obviously changed his mind, after realising the club wouldn’t retain him, as he went to visit new rich Malaga and coach Pellegrini, days after they announced the signing of Van Nistelroy, and was impressed. What he appreciated there was the ambitious project, the quality of life, the absence of media pressure towards him… But La Toule remains La Toule, he will only move if it’s good for the club.
Réveillère: one of the best players this season, the veteran Lyonnais just signed an extension. He stays, and that’s a good thing.
Diakhaté: Will not be kept by Lyon and will return to his club, unless he goes to St Etienne who are apparently interested in a loan.
Lovren: Probably the best DM throughout the season, young and not expensive, so he has every reason to stay.
Cissokho: Also virtually gone, being both bankable and persona non grata because of his lack of involvement.
Mensah: not kept by Sunderland, but might go to the Glasgow Rangers without stopping in Lyon.
Abenzoar also failed to impress Arles-Avignon and will be back unless he is lent or transfered in the coming weeks…

Possible newcomers :
I know it will come as a surprise to many, but yes, the club are looking for a central defender. Among the possible candidates, it seems that a list has been established: Kader Mangane, Raphaël Varane, Bruno Ecuelé-Manga, Milan AC’s Socratis Papastathopoulos, and Real Madrid’s Ezequiel Garay.
Also, a replacement is sought for Bastos. Apparently, Pablo Piatti fits the profile.
Also, Lyon is said to have an interest in Marvin Martin and Ryad Boutebouz from Sochaux.

As for the rest of rumours… the comments page is all yours!

Some Related Lyon Posts:

Category: Team News and Rumors

« Monaco-Lyon : the end of a cycle. Or several, actually. | Home | The reconstruction starts »

AnBean

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Megame

OK Guys, the new post is up!
pierrot

can we please have a new thread, to discuss mercato news?

thank you!
Megame

Sure. It's done!
AlexT

my wish list: Martin, Ciani, Mvila
john

I brought up Ciani earlier. Why is no one talking about it?
Megame

Ciani wants to go to Bordeaux
Luke99

1- i think Lyon should sell Gomis and bring in Djibril Cisse there both the same hight and weight but Cisse is faster and stronger and we really need some fast guys up front

2- Marvin martin is a good player and everything and i would like to see him playing for Lyon but to be honest him and Mirlam pjanic are the same thing so i dont think lyon should spend money there

3- Fernando sounds good and i think Lyon should go for him at a reasonable price becuase i just can't imagin life without toulalon. And trust me fernando is just as good as toulalon
Herve Boisde

I'm surprised that everyone thinks Martin is no better than Pjanic. Having seen him play for Les Bleus these last few games I can see him becoming a real star for the French NT. I doubt Pjanic would ever be able to do that if he were French.
john

when has Pjanic ever even looked like he could get close to double digit assits? They are different players. Pjanic is more of a scorer. I wish Martin had exploded before we got Gourcuff. He's exactly the player that we needed/need to run the offense in the midfield. The problem is, is he just a one-year-wonder? That's the only doubt I have about him .
Michael

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10...
WTF!?!?!
sideny govou

you think that PSG can offer him weekly good pay? Don't think soo!! Let's say between PSG City or Chelsea; and he will go to PSG, nooo; that is just example
Megame

Today should be the end of the Varane suspense.. Looks like the final race sees Real ahead of PSG. And OL? Not on the picture apparently.
sideny govou

Lloris

Rev Lovren Britos Kolo

M'villa

Ederson Gourcuff Pjanic Martin

Licha

I don't want to say that OL will be perfect hehehehehe
Ronan

not much balance there I would say-experiance ? 4 attacking mids none of which are natural wingers...
sideny govou

you have Rev hahahaha :P ; young talented team; why not?? Better be 3rd with young team, than with Puel's team
Russ

sidney govou, you just cant help but add Ederson to every single line-up you make :) hes definitely gotta go
sideny govou

sorry I simply love Ederson, he is my favorite :))
sideny govou

http://www.footmercato.net/cal...

him and Garay; Lovren, Britos, Garay... that looks nice
Megame

YIPPEE! PUEL HAS OFFICIALLY LEFT THE CLUB! A NEW ERA STARTS...
Michael

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OLvictoirefinale

Puel officially sacked by Lyon, from the official site less than one hour ago.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

On another note Kallstrom has to go, he is dead weight and we can't afford to let him go free.
Herve Boisde

well Bastos looks to be leaving so I think we should keep Kallstrom as an option in midfield. He's great coming off the bench and always solid and a team player. Even if Marvin Martin comes (hopefully) I think Kim would have a place in the team. He's good on left footed free kicks and can even play on the wing.
sideny govou

but Kim is clearly say that he will stay
sideny govou

Even they said that Martin is not fora sale; OL offer 14mil, and on foot mercato I read that OL will have the last word for that transfer; LOSC is out of game, they offer ''only'' 10mil
Herve Boisde

But if Marting wants to leave there's not much Sauchaux can do to keep him. They are trying to drive up the price at any rate.
sideny govou

well 14mill must be enough; maybe 15-17; but more than that NOOOO
Michael

Is Marvin Martin better then Pjanic ? I'm sure Miralem will leave if Martin comes.
Ronan

Why are we slowly but surely being consistantly linked to this Fernando chap at Porto,at first I read it then I thought...hmmm could be an interesting option,then the next line quoted 30mill,obviously to any normal club youd think 30mill ? Yer right whos that Diakite bloke,andything over 18mill for Fernando would be daylight robbery.I just feel Lyon have a knack of wasting time persuing players who they obviously wont sign.
john

JMA is a sadomasochist and secretly loves being whipped and having high heels shoved in certain orifaces by Porto's president Joa Pinto da Costa; Lille was his prior domnatrix. We saw this during the Lisandro and Aly Cissokho negotiations; if you can call them that.
sideny govou

totally wrigt! OL want Plasil?? And City want's Cissokho
Theo

Plasil? This transfer summer is gettind more and more disapointing.
john

I think that we will hear some big names once OL get some cash from sales. Marvin Martin isn't a bad start by any means, though as much as I love this player, it means Pjanic is on the chopping block. Rumors of Varane are good sign too. Some of these other fringe players will probably be brought in as minor role-players; their low salaries allow OL to build a deep squad without paying through the nose.
Michael

Plasil was good.....FIVE YEARS AGO!
sideny govou

Kallstrom's agent says that Kim wants to stay in OL next season; for me this is a super news
Megame

... and less good news for OL's treasurer !
john

I think management will have a hit put out on Kallstrom if he doesn't leave and they have to pay his salary next season. Be suspicious if Kim gets fried by a radio falling in the hot tube while he soaks in the club house.
sideny govou

mercato 365 says that OL is in contact with LE TFC; but for Sissoko is 15mil price tag
Michael

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10...
sideny govou

15mil hahahaha; we pay him 18; Aulas is losing control; sorry that is my opinion!! We pay 18 and sold for 15!! My opinion is 25mil or deal is off; maybe I'm wrong; but .... And we need 2CB's; Cris is old; Britos - Garay duo, we will pay 22mil for both of them!! One winger, replacment for Delgado, on DM ..... Let's say 4-5 players and that's it!! And let's rock&roll
Michael

his real price is 15 million, fact that we paid for him 18 million is nonsense,we paid too much for him
Megame

It's difficult to say once and for all that a player is worth that many millions, because a price depends on offer and demand. At the moment, there is no money, so prices are down. Maybe in 2 to 3 years they will skyrocket again.
These pricing dynamics are sometimes difficult to follow, but a player could very well have a justified price tag at some point, and an equally justified lower price tag a couple of years later, even if he remained at an equal level of performance.. Which is debatable regarding Bastos.
Michael

If we're going to be honest, nobody is worth even one million,but football has become a profitable business. :) ;)In any case, if we look at the current situation, I think Bastos is not worth so much compared to the prices of other football players,who are in my opinion much better than him
Megame

Other example of this year's devaluation of players: Inter reportedly just made an offer of 30 M€ for Kaka; Real is said to expect 40 M€ for the player they bought 67.2 M€ two years ago... Nice investment, uh?
Michael

...and we are planning to buy Fernando for the same amount of money :D logical ?
sideny govou

on DM* - one DM sorry
Pride of Lyon

otherwise, replace Bastos as LB. Get rid of Cissokho. But we already lost Delgado to play on the wing, we have to find another solution. I want to know what plans our new coach will have, I want to know if he'll stick to 4-3-3 or move to a more traditional 4-4-2 in the absence of a genius playmaker.

..............................Lloris(if he miracly stays!)....
Reveillere..........Cris(lovren)...........X..........Bastos
..........................X(maybe Ralf)......................
............Gourcuff................Kallstrom(make him stay)
...........................Pjanic.................................
............Gomis..........................Lopez.................
Theo

Who is Ralf?
Megame

It's a good thing you mention Ralf. I for one think he could be a dcent alternative to Toulalan (possibly) and/or Kallström (certainly).
I hope Lacombe and Marcelo do a good job...
Russ

Lorik Cana is being shopped around!!! He would be a great choice to replace Toule. Affordable,(6 mil at the most) experienced, knows Ligue 1, etc. Plus he can also fill in, and admirably I may add, at CB, whenever necessary. I think Lorik Cana makes perfect sense guys. What do you think?
sideny govou

OL is stupid club; look Marseille, and PSG they are in action; only OL wait!! I hate this; we want CL glory, but we dont buy, we just sold, sold and .... WAIT! Wait for what? Aulas wait for God to send him a present????
john

SG: Our days of hunting for CL glory are over for the short-term. Aulas took a big shot and it all fell apart. It's reconstruction time, again, and the financial shock of spending on all those half-assed players and shitty coach is bitting us in the ass right now. I hope I'm dead wrong and that our new objective won't be just trying to get into third place from now on. But looking at OM, PSG, Rennes, and Lille- if they survive the loss of 3/4 keys players this summer- I can't help but think , next season will be a real struggle, and our main objective will be the league. Hopefully Garde will get the squad playing quality football, and management will bring in a high quality CB and DM, to give us a chance to compete with the best in the league.
muffin

If Garde can handle this team and pull out the best of our players we will be a serious title contender. We already witnessed how talented this team has looked and performed (but failed to consistently look and perform that way) and with a price that says we spent more in last two years than PSG will spend in the next three. So with a couple of good recruitments, as you said, we will still have the best team in L1 on paper.
But can Garde give us consistency?
sideny govou

I agree with CL; but still; you sold every year 2-3 standard players!! And want big things!! I cannot belive that OL cant hold players!! Just look Palermo; every giant club wants Pastore; but Pastore is still in Palermo; Aguero same thing!!! And both clubs isnt that good in their leagues!! I just want that OL finnaly hold the same team for 2-3 years; If I want to much ..... Well then I will stop support OL after 16 years
pierrot

in other news: OL CFA member yassine benzia has scored a brace in the first half of group play match against argentina, U17 world cup!! france 3 - 0 argentina
john

I hope that these rumors that OL will wait to buy until they have sold a bunch of players is true. The 11mill for Toul can fetch a good CB, and if those rumors of 15mill for Kallstrom and Ederson from Galatasaray/ "15mill" for Bastos are true, we could buy M'vila with that. That would solve our problems player-wise. Hope they invest that money in new players.
Ronan

I here you guys mentioning buy a dm and cb and thats it,but do you reckon we dont need to replace bastos or delgado ? In my mind that would be terrible not to,we can live without replacing delgado for sure-Briand and Lacazette answer that,but Bastos needs to be replaced-Piatti/Mounier or someone.
john

If Lisandro is going to play at LW, then why would we buy another winger? Everyone talks about letting the youngsters take a larger role, then we should let Pied, and Lacazette take-up the slack. If Ederson stays, then that's always another option. The only thing I worry about is with a Briand-Gomis-Licha starting line, you have all three strikers on the field at the same time.
Luke99

LOOKS LIKE NOBODY WANTS BASTOS!!!!
john

How will OL even get 15mill for him, when Arsenal is going to pay like 12mill for Gervinho? No comparing the current form of the two.
Michael

That's not good
Theo

Get him out of town!
If someone pays 5mil he can go.
Michael

Can someone translate this ?

http://www.olweb.fr/fr/Accueil...
john

"OL denies any contact, current or future, with Toulouse FC over the eventual transfer of Moussa Sissoko, moreover this was confirmed directly by Olivier Sadran a few days ago."
Herve Boisde

Lyon management is denying rumors about Sissoko coming to OL
Michael

Ok thanks
Michael

We should buy Diakhate for about 5$,he will be good backup
john

He can play a couple of positions including RB. Does he have the potential to be a starter one day?
john

I'm talking about Samba Diakhite of Nancy, not P. Diakhate. I read a headline that OM and OL were battling to sign Diakhite, and thought they were talking about Pape. Almost had a heartattack.
Michael

hahaha,Pape Diakhate can be also starter one day.....for CFA team :)
muffin

5 american dollars is way too much for him.
Michael

3$ for transfer plus 2$ bonus subject to performances.
john

Quoi?: http://www.foot01.com/equipe/p...
Michael

Does this mean Cissokho will leave ?
john

not sure it is to play him at left back. I think they are thinking about putting him at CB.
john

Playing Armand at CB that is.
Michael

I don't think that is good idea to play him at CB,we better find some true CB player.
john

agreed.
Ronan

That would be such a retarded Lyon thing to do wouldnt it-lets play Toul at cb,lets play Kallstrom at Lb,lets play Lisandro on the wing etc,would be laughable if we signed Armand to fill the CB spot. Sad thing is it wouldnt surprise me.
Bad Gones

Woe is us.
sideny govou

totally wright!! we will see! it will be long summer for OL
sideny govou

Toulalan 4 years in Malaga; OL recive 11mil for him
Michael

I hope we gonna sign M'vila
Sam

quite depressing to see Toulalan leave, always been one of the most reliable, committed and loyal players. Given it's not for a huge fee or to a great club, it's quite disappointing. I wonder who will come in now - can't see anyone being an upgrade.
Michael

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L...

Club informationCurrent clubBursaspor
john

There's nothing on the official website. I think it's just some idiot with nothing to do. N'Guemo said that he was returning from vacation on Mon, and would see what happens next week.
Michael

Who cares about him,he is average player.We can't expect from him to be replacement for toule.But M'vila would be upgrade...
Russ

n'guemo would make a good squad player but honestly i hope nobody on here expects him to be a full time replacement for Toule if we sell him!!! This could spell disaster and I really hope that OL management hasnt lost their minds by believing that n'guemo can fill toules boots. Hes an above average DM on his best day
john

Considering we currently have not one DM on our squad, N'guemo is good news. Why?, first, he's free; and two, his salary is negligable. Let's keep our fingers crossed that he will be recruited as a back-up, or to be placed next to another DM or CMF with strong defensive skills- like M. Sissoko- in the 4-2-3-1.
Theo

Why? Gonalons is as good as him. If they want a replacement for Toulalan then M'vila is the man.
john

As good as Gonalons...that's bad, bad, bad. Hopefully Maxime is allowed to develop as a CMF, where his true talents may lay. I don't think they are going to spend the cash on M'vila, and if they don't, do you really see Gonalons and Grenier protecting the backline?
Megame

Another free player who would be worth considering (if he wasn't injured so often) is Sylvain Marveaux. It's a pity he had several adductor injuries, the boy was very promising...
john

I'm not sure if Marveaux has a large salary. And If they keep the current set-up: Gomis-Lisandro on the wing, then it wouldn't make any sense briging in another winger, especially a left winger. If we didn't have so many wingers and he weren't so expensive, I'd love to have Payet; perfect replacement for Bastos.
Sam

about to join Liverpool
john

let them have the Mensah of the midfield. a curse on Liverpool!
Megame

Finally, Marveaux just joined Newcastle
john

Has anyone watched Ciani at Bordeaux this year? Is he still as good as he was his first year with them? I imagine he's not that expensive.
Megame

N'Guemo received 4 offers: Lyon, Bordeaux, Auxerre... and Bursaspor in Turkey.
He said he was honored to be targeted by a club of OL's standing... This one we might get.

As for other potential recruits, things will be more difficult. Garay seems within OL's (and many others) reach, but Sokratis Papastathopoulos might well go to Werder Bremen instead...

Asfor M'vila, who just extended with Rennes, if he was to move, Real and Chelsea may be more attractive to him and his current club than OL..

Other than that, I just saw that Alou Diarra costs 4 M€. Even if he wasn't at his best this season, that's quite a bargain, don't you think?
john

http://news.maxifoot.fr/info-1...
Says here AD's release clause is 7,5mill or there abouts. I've read this in a couple of other places. It says Marseilles are trying to get GB to take 4mill. Anyway, OL won't go for Diarra at any price, now that they can get N'Guemo for free, and especially since Landry's salary is 3x times less than A. Diarra's.
john

Yes, I've been screaming for Alou Diarra for months now, but who knows? Maybe management knows something we don't. That would have been my first move, especially since he's not high on anyone's list right now.

As for M'vila, he said that he was in no rush to leave France and sit on the bench of some large club. He said there are alot of good clubs in France and he's in no rush to leave. He also has a family, despite his young age and doesn't seem eager to uproot them. He has a good head on his shoulders for such a young man. Def not in the mold of HBA, Nasri, etc. This is the only player I wouldn't mind spending 15mill on.

It looks like we will get N'Guemo: He wants to stay in France. This means we will need a solid box-to-box MF like Sissoko, to give him defensive support, which means Pjanic might be on the way out. http://www.rmcsport.fr/editori...