Jean-Michel Aulas leaves Lyon after differences with John Textor | french football

Lyon announced on Monday that Jean-Michel Aulas has stepped down as chairman and chief executive of OL Groupe. Entrepreneur John Textor, who bought the club in December last year, takes on both functions. The American is also the owner of the Botafogo SAF.

The agreement for the purchase of Lyon, concluded in June 2022, provided that Aulas would remain as CEO of the group for another three years. However, the French press points out that the departure was anticipated after political differences between the former owner and the current commanders of the club.

Jean-Michel Aulas, 74, has managed Lyon since 1987 and was responsible for the team’s most successful phase, which includes seven consecutive French Championship titles between 2002 and 2008. According to the club’s statement, he will remain as ” Honorary President”.

According to L’Equipe, Eagle Football, a company owned by businessman John Textor, intends to make a series of strategic and sporting changes at Lyon. One of them would be the creation of a cell to capture talents. The person appointed to lead this task would not be the preferred name of Jean-Michel Aulas.

These and other disagreements increased friction between the French leader and John Textor’s company. In a meeting on the 5th of May, the board of directors of OL Groupe decided to change the command, and the departure of Aulas was brought forward. Some board members, such as Bruno Cheyrou, and coach Laurent Blanc himself are unlikely to remain in the team next season.

According to L’Equipe, Aulas will receive compensation of 10 million euros (R$ 55 million) for his departure, foreseen if the departure occurs before the stipulated three years. According to the newspaper, the Frenchman must keep his share of the shares of OL Groupe, belonging to his family holding company, Holnest (9% of the capital).

Eagle Football Holdings LLC, John Textor’s company, acquired 77.49% ownership of Lyon. The businessman already owns a 40% stake in Crystal Palace, in the Premier League, where he sits on the board, controls 90% of Botafogo and 80% of RWD Molenbeek, from Belgium.