When Fabio Grosso, Olympique Lyonnais’ second manager of the season, was sacked at the end of November, he left the club in turmoil. Pierre Sage replaced the Italian – initially on an interim basis – with the club bottom of Ligue 1 and in crisis.
Since, Sage, in his first experience at this level, has orchestrated one of the great comebacks in French football history. From bottom of the table in December and in the relegation zone as recently as February, he has guided Lyon to sixth in Ligue 1. Regardless of the result of their Coupe de France final against Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, OL will play in Europe next season. No wonder owner John Textor has confirmed Sage’s future at the club.
Lyon’s late victory over RC Strasbourg Alsace on Sunday evening completed the comeback, securing sixth position in Ligue 1 after RC Lens had stumbled against Montpellier HSC. Amid joyous scenes at the Groupama Stadium, Textor confirmed that Sage would remain in charge beyond the end of the current campaign.
“He (Sage) has known it for several weeks, he has already addressed it respectfully by speaking about his [coaching] degree (which he does not yet have). His first mission was to put out the fire in a house on fire. We never had a conversation about his future. We will continue to look forward and build the footballing department – it isn’t an easy job. Since he arrived, we’ve just been interested in the three points, three points, three points… of course he is staying. It’s been a while since that has been decided. It’s logical, no one thought of another manager,” said Textor.
Sage’s salary as OL manager was already increased several weeks ago, without the length of his contract being extended beyond the end of the current campaign. That will now happen. It is expected that Sage will sign the extension after Saturday’s Coupe de France final against Paris Saint-Germain, report L’Équipe.
