Claude Puel has been replaced by inexperienced Remi Garde at Olympique Lyon after the first one left the club due to the poor results. The former French champions finished the season third and failed to grab any success this term. Puel resigned after three years in which he was unable to lead the Gerland side through superior phases of the European competitions. Olympique earned 64 points this season, something which allow them to play a third UCL qualifying term. More exactly, Puel’s side won 17 games, but lost eight in 38 matches, going just four points above Europa League PSG and four behind Olympique Marseille.
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Lyon have made a risky move as the 45-year-old Garde is to re-join Ligue 1 after he helped the same Gerald side win a couple of titles back in 2004 and 2005. He also worked as an assistant for Gerard Houllier between 2005 and 2007. The former Arsenal and Lyon defender has now been promoted as coach after he worked as director of the training center of OL. Garde’s main aim is to win the title next season. Lyon won seven title in a row between 2001 and 2008, their only ones in history. “I am very happy and proud to accept this challenge that the entire club offered me. This is a highlight for me. I feel at home here and of course it is a mission that is very important. But I do not feel alone because everyone at the club trusts me,” said the new coach.
Lyon last won a big European honor in 1997 when they grabbed the UEFA Intertoto Cup. Puel had a 49 winning percentage with Olympique, which includes 71 wins and 32 losses in 143 matches. The former Monaco and Lille manager is now looking for a new job within the French league, though he hasn’t been offered yet by any of the top clubs. The 49-year-old former manager managed though to lead Lyon to 2010 UEFA Champions League semi finals, which remains Puel’s best performance in UCL. Lyon haven’t made any transfer so far, but their top-scorer Lisandro Lopez is likely to stay at the club. The striker finished the season with 17 goals and six assists, being followed by Bafetimbi Gomis with ten goals and Jimmy Briand, who is also the best assister with seven passes, with six.
Cornerstone Yoann Gourcuff, a former AC Milan player, is also likely to remain on Gerland at least for one more season. Lyon beat Marseille 3-2 in the second leg and drew them 1-1 in the first one. They also grabbed four points from the new champions Lille OSC whom Puel’s side beat 3-1 in the first leg and drew 1-1 in the second term. PSG was the only big club who beat Lyon as they won the second leg 1-0.
