Lyon’s Search for a New Coach: Kombouaré and Juninho Out of the Running
The race to find a successor for Rémi Garde at Olympique Lyonnais is heating up, but one name has already been ruled out: Antoine Kombouaré. The current manager of RC Lens will not be taking the reins at OL, according to club president Jean-Michel Aulas.
Garde’s departure was announced last Tuesday during a press conference, where he cited personal and family reasons for his decision to step down. “I feel the need to take a break,” Garde explained. “I thank Jean-Michel Aulas and Bernard Lacombe for their support. I thank the players, the coaching staff, and the supporters without whom a club would be nothing. I won’t be on another bench next season!”
With Garde’s exit, Lyon’s search for a new coach has become a priority. Antoine Kombouaré, who has been with Lens since 2012, was among the names circulating as a potential replacement. However, Aulas quickly dismissed the idea, pointing out Kombouaré’s strong ties to RC Lens and his close relationship with the club’s president, Gervais Martel. “Kombouaré works with a friend at Lens,” Aulas told OLTV on the OL System show, making it clear that the move would not be possible.
Another prominent figure in the discussions is former Lyon star Juninho, who had been speculated as a potential candidate. However, Aulas revealed that Juninho’s chances were slim due to regulatory changes in French football, which now require coaches to hold a formal coaching diploma. “I spoke to Juninho on the phone to find out his position,” Aulas explained. “The regulations have changed. We can no longer have a coach without a diploma, which is the case with ‘Juni.’ It won’t be him.”
As Lyon moves forward with their search, the spotlight is now on other potential candidates who could lead the club into the next chapter. With a rich history and high expectations, the new coach will have big shoes to fill in ensuring that Lyon remains competitive on both the domestic and international stages.
