It was an earthquake that struck Lyon, four days before the end of the Ligue 1 season. Jean-Michel Aulas is no longer the president of OL, which he had already sold to the man American businessman John Textor. He remains its honorary president. Why such a sudden departure? What will Aulas do in the future? We take stock.
It’s not a resignation. Jean-Michel Aulas was pushed out by “his” club. In its press release, Olympique Lyonnais clearly states that “the Board of Directors of OL Groupe has appointed Mr. John Textor” president, and “for an interim period”. Aulas, he, “will be named honorary president”. A decision that Aulas, 74, could not curb. Even if the leader knew that the end was near, after 35 years on the banks of the Rhône. The sale of the club, in 2022, already indicated that time was running out.
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The timing can be questionable. Why didn’t Olympique Lyonnais wait until the end of the season to turn the Aulas page? The fact is that the tension has only increased in recent months between John Textor, new boss and owner of OL, and Aulas, who was initially to remain executive chairman until 2025.
Perhaps the Lyon management saw it as a possible electroshock for Laurent Blanc’s players in view of the race for Europe in Ligue 1? The decision, ratified on May 5, was only known after OL’s crazy victory against Montpellier on Sunday (5-4), which brought the club to three points behind Lille, 5th. There are four days left in Lyon to believe in an unexpected rise in the standings. And end the Aulas era on a positive note.
Yes and no. No one saw the news coming so abruptly. But with hindsight, one could imagine that Aulas would not go to the end of this planned term of three years (2022-2025). To put it simply: Aulas thought he would remain the main decision maker at the club, but some of his choices didn’t sit well with Textor, who didn’t hesitate to let it be known.
The American was not satisfied with the sporting results of OL, current 7th in Ligue 1, absent from the European cups this season and which has not won a trophy since 2012. He was also frustrated by the method. The recruitment manager, Bruno Cheyrou, does not have his favors. On the transfer window, moreover, Textor pushed this winter to recruit the Brazilian João Gomes, while Aulas supported the track Ellyes Skhiri. In the end, neither of the two midfielders came. Gomes has signed for Wolverhampton, England. A symbolic tension of dissent in the offices of Lyon.
It’s high time for John Textor to show what he can do. Interim President, the American will be able to begin his palace revolution at OL. Bruno Cheyrou, head of the recruitment cell, could well be thanked in turn. Since this winter, the whole cell has been walking on eggshells.
Laurent Blanc, coach linked until June 2024, does not seem threatened. Vincent Ponsot, director of football, has reason to ask questions. We still have to see if OL will be European next season and what Textor will aim to get back on track. “The priority of the new Chairman and CEO and of the Board of Directors will be to strengthen the place of Olympique Lyonnais on the world football scene, in line with the highest ambitions of its illustrious history”, indicated the club in his statement.
No matter what the government decides on the retirement age, that of Jean-Michel Aulas will wait. At 74, the native of L’Arbresle (Rhône) will therefore officiate as honorary president of OL. If John Textor has a question, he can always call him. But Aulas should greatly distance himself from “his” club.
As L’Équipe points out, the Rhodanien has “views on the presidency of the future Women’s League”. In France, women’s football, which is becoming more professional, owes a proud debt to Aulas, whose OL won 8 Champions Leagues between 2011 and 2022. A member of the Executive Committee of the French Football Federation (FFF), he also saw his name pointing among the potential future presidents, after the resignation of Noël Le Graët. He probably won’t, but will remain involved. He had also played a role in the appointment of Hervé Renard as coach of the Blue.
