Lyon have announced the departure of manager Sylvinho after just 11 games in charge. President Jean-Michel Aulas confirmed there would be action taken following their loss to Saint Etienne in the Rhonalpin Derby. Aulas announced the news late last night that the club had sacked the Brazilian who only arrived in May following the departure of Bruno Genesio.
Lyon Part Company With Sylvinho
The Writing Was on The Wall for Sylvinho
Since thrashing Angers 6-0 in August, Lyon have gone seven league games without a win. Losing to bitter rivals Saint Etienne was the final nail in the coffin for the Brazilian. Overall, it’s one win in nine games in competitions for Les Gones and that is very poor for a team expected to be challenging for the Ligue 1 title.
Lyon have struggled to score goals, see out matches and ultimately collect wins. Their seven-match winless run leaves them languishing in 14th place and 12 points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain. Lyon have found the going tough under the Brazilian and the writing was on the wall despite Sylvinho taking charge of just 11 games.
Sylvinho won just three of his 11 games in charge and they will hope to appoint a new manager before their next league game against Dijon on the 19th October. While the search for Sylvinho’s successor gets underway, Gerald Baticle will oversee the first team as caretaker manager.
Aulas promised changes and sporting director Juninho is also in the firing line. Aulas is clearly looking to take Lyon in a different direction following their disastrous start to the season.
Could Arsene Wenger Take Over at Lyon?
There have been names linked to the vacancy at Lyon since the club announced Sylvinho’s departure. Arsene Wenger and Laurent Blanc are the leading contenders with Aulas interested in both managers. Lyon’s young, attacking players could certainly suit Arsene Wenger whose been out of work since leaving Arsenal in 2018.
Lyon and Wenger could be a perfect fit with the philosophies of the club and the manager very similar. Lyon do sell their best players, but Wenger can relate having seen many of Arsenal’s best players leave during his 22 years at the club.
However, Aulas needs to convince Wenger to join the club with wages, transfers and control of the club key components in attempting to snatch Wenger. If Aulas’ pursuit of Wenger fails, he will turn to Laurent Blanc whose been out of work since leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2016. Lyon have a vibrant, young attacking team that has lost its way so far this season. Lyon is a very attractive job for any manager and they will be tasked with igniting a flailing season thus far. Aulas wants Wenger but, can he convince Wenger to take the Lyon job?
Lyon face a crucial run of league fixtures starting with Dijon, Toulouse and Metz as well as consecutive matches with Benfica. These games represent a perfect opportunity for Lyon to finally get their season up and running.
