In a major interview with France Football, Jean-Michel Aulas, the president of Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon), expressed optimism about the club’s future and its potential to compete for the French championship again, even with the presence of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Aulas mentioned the budget-performance ratio as a key factor, indicating that Lyon could be an alternative to PSG if financial fair play regulations are effectively enforced. He also expressed trust in Michel Platini, who was then the UEFA president and a proponent of financial fair play measures.
Aulas stated, “If everything goes well, not only can we be an alternative to PSG, but also to the best European clubs.” He outlined his vision for Lyon’s competitiveness at the European level, drawing a parallel with the club’s success in the French league from 2000 to 2008. Aulas suggested that Lyon would adopt a new economic model, and he anticipated that Lyon would be competitive at the European level starting from 2016.
It’s worth noting that the interview and statements reflect Aulas’ perspective at the time of the interview, and developments in football can influence the dynamics of competition and financial regulations.
