Olympique Lyonnais, currently grappling with a challenging start to their Ligue 1 campaign, may be contemplating a managerial change, with former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Julen Lopetegui emerging as a potential candidate, according to reports from Sky Sports and Sports Zone.
Laurent Blanc, the current manager of Lyon, has faced persistent questions regarding his job security in recent times. Following a disheartening 4-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain over the weekend, his position appears to be hanging by a thread, as reported by L’Équipe. This string of disappointing results has prompted Lyon’s management to explore options for a new head coach.
Reports from both L’Équipe and The Athletic indicate that Lyon has already initiated their search for Blanc’s successor. The Athletic reported that former Chelsea manager Graham Potter was approached by the club but declined the opportunity. Potter expressed that he did not feel the timing was right for him to return to management at this moment.
Lyon’s Quest for an Out-of-Work Manager
Lyon, currently positioned at the bottom of Ligue 1 after four games, finds themselves in a precarious financial situation, which may influence their choice for a new manager. The club appears to be inclined towards hiring a manager who is currently unemployed to avoid hefty compensation fees. Julen Lopetegui, who departed from Wolverhampton Wanderers just before the start of the Premier League season, fits this criterion. Sky Sports reports that Lyon is likely to make an approach for the Spanish manager who is currently without a club.
Additionally, Sports Zone has reported that Lopetegui’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is actively involved in the process of securing Lyon’s next manager. Mendes initially favored Botafogo’s Bruno Lage for the position, considering his connection to a John Textor-owned club. However, it appears that Lopetegui may ultimately emerge as the leading contender to take charge at Lyon’s Groupama Stadium.
In conclusion, Olympique Lyonnais is navigating a challenging period marked by poor results, which has cast doubts over Laurent Blanc’s future as the manager. With financial constraints in mind, the club is actively seeking an out-of-work manager, with Julen Lopetegui emerging as a prominent candidate for the role, while Jorge Mendes is playing a pivotal role in the managerial selection process. The coming weeks will likely bring further developments on this front as Lyon strives to regain its footing in Ligue 1.
