the firm announcements of Laurent Blanc

Olympique Lyonnais had an evening like no other. This May 27, the club said goodbye to the emblematic Jean-Michel Aulas. We almost forget that Les Gones faced Reims on the 37th day of Ligue 1. Alexandre Lacazette’s teammates won 3-0 in front of a boiling public. After the end-of-season festivities and a lap of honor by JMA, Laurent Blanc spoke to the media. The opportunity to evoke the departure of Mr. Aulas and his short collaboration with him.

White, between two eras

“It is a page in Lyon football that is turning, but also in French football. Lyon has often represented French football in the European Cup. It is an era that is ending. Another begins (…) I could have worked with Jean-Michel Aulas several times. But it never happened for various reasons. I was happy that he persisted because I got to know him better during those eight months. Working with him was a real pleasure. So it could have been done before, but I’m glad it happened.”

To read
OL: the very strong words of Jean-Michel Aulas

Then he mentioned the continuation of the project led by John Textor. “You have to quickly dive into it (the new era, editor’s note). Still, you put articles. I don’t know, or you are more informed than us or me, which may be the case… But I hear things that are a little false in my opinion. There will be new owners who will set goals, work with people, who have seen others that they have said they want to work with. So I’m not questioning that.”

The coach talks about his future and the transfer window

Next, Blanc talked about the future. “There are plenty of things to know about the group and the ambitions of the club. What will OL’s ambitions be in the future? When I say that, I’m not putting pressure on anyone. Who am I to pressure the landlord. When I see you write things like that, you extrapolate. Or you’re using me to put pressure on the new owners. Let’s listen to them, discuss, exchange and we’ll see. I think Mr Textor, as he said to you and to me, wants to put OL back where they were. So, let’s be available for this gentleman, for these leaders and those who will build next year’s team.

A team he will lead well. “I was told that I would be (the man of this new project, note). So I don’t see why reading you makes me doubtful. So it makes me laugh when I see that. Then you will tell me that you may be right, I don’t know (…) I want to. I returned to a bench and in particular to Lyon because I wanted to, I like football, I like to train and progress. I think the era that ended was a grand success. But there was a lot of work behind (…) We must determine the objectives ” Last coach of the JMA era, Laurent Blanc is the first of the John Textor era. The Cévenol intends to help the American businessman to succeed in his mission between Rhône and Saône.