The weeks follow one another and are sadly similar for Olympique Lyonnais. The change of coach, made on September 16 with the departure of Laurent Blanc and the arrival of Fabio Grosso, did not bear fruit at all despite a first success validated in the championship against Stade Rennais (0-1) . Again this weekend, OL fell in Ligue 1 against LOSC (0-2) on Sunday, on the pitch at Groupama Stadium. A new setback which could well mark yet another negative turning point in the first part of the season for the Rhone residents. Indeed, according to information from our colleagues at The Team, the position of the Italian coach, Fabio Grosso, is more weakened than ever after this setback against Lille and a second change on the Lyon bench cannot be ruled out. Moreover, the former Frosinone tactician should meet president John Textor in the coming days to take stock of the terrible situation in which Les Gones have found themselves for several weeks.
“No, I never feel lost. We know it’s very difficult but I never feel lost. There is room to fight, to try. I remain with courage, desire, determination and I count on players who have these characteristics. I try to make my choices that are best for the team. We know that we are last, that we are playing against the fourth, there is a difference on the pitch (…). Of course we are fragile and there are things to improve but we are trying to do everything to move up the rankings. The players who returned came back well. Unfortunately we lost the match. We know that in our position we will lose more matches than we win but we have to win enough to catch up with the teams just ahead. It’s not easy to say when you play for OL but that’s how it is.”Grosso declared yesterday at the microphone of Prime Video after the defeat.
An internal replacement?
Still according to the indiscretions of The Team, the locker room is starting to let go of Fabio Grosso. The group’s executives point out the total incomprehension that reigns within the team regarding the daily changes in systems and tactics, like the match against LOSC during which the Italian coach used a mind-boggling total of 4 different systems. The symbol of a lack of inspiration and confidence which reflects helplessness and feverishness. In addition, the French newspaper specifies that the more than curious management of executive players such as Rayan Cherki, Alexandre Lacazette and Dejan Lovren are raising more and more questions in the Lyon group. The French striker’s exit at half-time on Sunday seems to have left some after-effects, as the Croatian defender became a substitute and the Espoir international alternated between the bench and the eleven without any real logic or explanation.
Even if Fabio Grosso continues to bring out the optimism card in front of journalists and in the locker room, the group no longer seems inclined to listen and follow the methods of the former Juventus player. In order to regain control of his team, American president and owner John Textor plans to meet with Grosso this week in hopes of restoring order by banging his fist on the table. A definitive departure of the Italian is a real idea considered by management, according to information from The Team. If this scenario were to take place, OL would have to appoint a third coach this season and the internal option to provide the interim is today the most likely, at a time when rumors of Frédéric Antonetti, Bruno Genesio or Jorge Sampaoli are announced as “unfounded” by our colleagues.
Pub. THE
Update