Inevitably, we do not close a page of 36-year history as we spread out our letters in Scrabble, to paraphrase a famous singer. The eviction of Jean-Michel Aulas from his position as CEO of Olympique Lyonnais was logically invited to the press conference given this Friday by Laurent Blanc and Dejan Lovren, before the trip to Clermont on Sunday.
“Not too comfortable to talk about it”, the coach of the 7th in Ligue 1 did not hide that the event had “an impact” in the locker room. “How can we measure it? We don’t really know. It’s a story that ends with an important character, it’s not measurable, “said the technician.
“Sad”, Lovren speaks of a lack of respect
Dejan Lovren let his heart speak more. “It’s a shame and I’m sad because Jean-Michel Aulas helped me a lot and he did a lot for the club during his 36 years as president, including seven titles [de champion de France], the best years for him and OL, developed the Croatian defender. We didn’t respect that. »
The central back, who returned this winter after a first stint from 2010 to 2013, said he “learned the news in the newspapers”, after the incredible success on Sunday against Montpellier (5-4). Intrigued by the absence of the ubiquitous “JMA” after this victory, Lovren assured him: “I didn’t believe he was gone. “Now that he has digested the information, the third of the last World Cup is looking to an “exciting” future with John Textor, whom he met on Friday morning with other OL captains, Alexandre Lacazette , Corentin Tolisso, Anthony Lopes and Maxence Caqueret.
For his part, Rennes coach Bruno Genesio, a Lyonnais at heart, also deplored the departure of Aulas: “It’s a reflection of our society today, he commented to the press. We no longer necessarily respect what has been done. We consume, we throw away. It’s unfortunate, even more so for someone who has brought a lot to Lyon but also to French football and French sport in general. »
There is no doubt that Aulas will console himself with these testimonials of support, as well as with the 24 million euros in compensation he must receive.