Ex-Bayern star involved! This near-relegated side dreams of the CL
Ex-Bayern star involved! This near-relegated side dreams of the CL The coach waves his scarf in front of the fans, tears glistening in his eyes. In the stands, a banner can be seen reading “Bravo Fonseca,” because they know who they have to thank for this success: Paulo Fonseca.
The Olympique Lyon coach has achieved something that probably nobody would have thought possible before the season. Together with his players, he is making the fans dream of their first Champions League appearance since 2019/20. In the Covid season, that surprise team only fell in the semifinals of the final tournament in Lisbon to the eventual winners from Munich.
Now the Champions League anthem could ring out again at their own stadium next season — and that despite the club still facing forced relegation to France’s second division last summer. Because of breaches of financial regulations, the national supervisory body DNCG had ordered the forced relegation. Controversial club president John Textor then stepped down and sold his shares in Premier League side Crystal Palace.
OL appealed the forced relegation — successfully. But the financial watchdog imposed strict conditions on the club. Wage and transfer spending had to be reduced.
As a result, numerous stars left the club. Among them were Rayan Cherki (to ManCity), Georges Mikautadze (Villarreal), and even club legend Alexandre Lacazette was not offered a new contract. He moved to Saudi Arabia.
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