“Sadness, amazement”, “a dreaded moment”: the two main groups of Olympique Lyonnais supporters expressed their emotion on Monday after the announcement of the departure of the club’s president, Jean-Michel Aulas after 36 years at the power.
“It is sadness, amazement and emotion that intertwine in our hearts as OL supporters”, declares the Lyon 1950 group, which occupies the south corner of the Groupama stadium.
“If we were not always in agreement, we have always had the deepest respect for you. Because we have grown and aged with you”, continues this ultra group in its press release.
“You have made the club shine and given an entire city immense pride for years, arousing envy and jealousy everywhere in France,” he continues.
For its part, the Kop Virage nord, which claims more than 6,000 members, evokes “a dreaded moment”.
“The club loses a huge part of its history with the departure of the man who has led us for 36 years”, says the KVN, even if the latter “cannot deny all the differences of recent years”.
“But what you brought to OL will remain quite simply extraordinary,” said the group from the north bend.
“A visionary since your arrival, you will remain this president who revolutionized French football and leave behind you an impressive legacy and an extremely solid basis for the future of our club”, says the KVN press release, which ensures that “supporters will know (you) thank at the height of (your) work”.
In office since 1987, Jean-Michel Aulas left his place as CEO of OL Groupe, at the end of a board meeting which took place on Friday, to the American John Textor who bought the Rhone club in December last.
He was originally slated to hold this position until at least 2025, before handing over control entirely to Textor.
