Official | Pierre Sage dismissed as Lyon head coach | OneFootball

Pierre Sage has been dismissed as Lyon head coach, the Ligue 1 club has announced. The French coach was told on Monday by Olympique Lyonnais owner and president John Textor that he would no longer coach Les Gones. The 45-year-old Sage had rapidly become a surprise hit last season when, despite no previous managerial experience at the highest level, he took Lyon from a relegation battle to Europa League and a Coupe de France final – which they lost to PSG – in a matter of months.

“This sporting decision intervenes in the current context of the 2024 – 2025 season and does not question the formidable work carried out in early 2024 and for which Olympique Lyonnais will always be grateful to Pierre Sage and his team”, Lyon statement reads.

So far this season, Sage has led Lyon to fifth place, both in Ligue 1 and in Europa League. However, Lyon’s performances and results have dipped recently. OL have also been knocked out of the Coupe de France by amateur side Bourgoin-Jallieu. On Sunday, Lyon conceded a 90th-minute equalizer against relegation-battling Nantes, which proved fatal to Sage’s future in the Lyon dugout. On the back of his feats last season, Sage earned a contract extension tying him to Les Gones until 2026.

Lyon have also announced that deputy coach Jamal Alioui, fitness coach Rui Lemos, head of performance Denis Valour and goalkeeping coach Rémy Vercoutre have also been dismissed.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval