The first of the year. This Friday, Pierre Sage appeared at a press conference to discuss the first match of 2024 against Pontarlier in the Coupe de France. And this will not be the last time we see the 44-year-old technician. While Olympique Lyonnais has still not officially taken stock of its future, it will continue on the Rhone bench at least until the end of the current season, barring a turnaround. Before announcing it, the residents of Groupama Stadium must first settle administrative details with his predecessor, Fabio Grosso.
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A future that is not officially settled
Questioned about his future, Pierre Sage nevertheless kept his case unclear, he who weighed every word. “I was simply told that the interim period would continue a little longer and that we had to ensure the recovery with the players. I showed up for the restart having anticipated all of this in order to put the players in good shape for the rest of the season” Asked about his situation, he confided: “Actually, not much has changed. I was told about one match, then three, then five. I am asked to continue a little longer. We have to find the conditions for it to work with or without me. The team must not depend on the coach but on the players and staff who supervise it.
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In fact, Pierre Sage welcomed two new members to his staff, namely Damien Della Santa and Jamal Alioui. Two arrivals which give a little more weight to the OL coach, who was able to surround himself with men of confidence. At the same time, Jean-François Vulliez left management. “The staff has evolved but in all cases, there was a need to strengthen it regardless of my situation”, admitted Pierre Sage who was then invited to talk about the Gones transfer window. Concerning the arrivals of Lucas Perri and Adryelson, he kicked in without denying.
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Pierre Sage discusses the transfer window
“Obviously, they do not yet have this status of recruits. As you know, there are things in the pipeline. There is something happening but for the moment, they are not recruits”. We should therefore not see them at work against Pontarlier. The French technician then spoke about the needs of the team. “There is a dual desire to strengthen the team to have more variety, and also to leave players in a state of confidence, so not doubling or tripling positions if we are satisfied. These are logics supported by the club. They are not those of the coach or the sports director, but of the club.
Depopulated in attack, OL, who lost Ernest Nuamah (CAN), Tino Kadewere (loaned to Nantes) and Jeffinho (he will return to Botafogo, editor’s note) could really use reinforcements. “We are in tight flow. But we have enough players who have the opportunity to play., admitted Sage, who hopes that some will take their chance. Especially since OL are working on several arrivals. Saïd Benrahma (West Ham) and Arnaut Danjuma (Villarreal but on loan to Everton) are targeted according to our information. Reinforcements that would do good for OL and Pierre Sage.
Pub. 01/05/2024 2:07 p.m. Updated 01/05/2024 2:26 p.m.
2024-01-05 13:07:11
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