Laurent Blanc’s outdated tactics are holding Lyon back in Ligue 1

Lyon’s 30-Year Low Amplified by Blanc’s Coaching Style

Lyon’s recent 4-1 defeat to Montpellier intensified concerns about their current performance. Manager Laurent Blanc’s light-hearted suggestion, “Change the coach,” after the game might be closer to a reality, considering Lyon’s placement in the bottom three of the league. Although Blanc plays a pivotal role in the team’s ongoing crisis, the club has faced its most significant challenges in over three decades.

After Peter Bosz’s tenure ended, Blanc’s arrival didn’t steer the ship in the right direction. The team finished seventh, marking two years without a European competition. This summer brought a glimpse of hope with new investments, potential first-choice players, and no European distractions, but their current performance has been lackluster, gathering only one point in three games.

The club’s recent signings betray a sense of urgency, with some of the new additions not yet displaying Ligue 1 readiness. Lyon’s €50m profit from this summer’s transfer market came at the cost of letting go of star players like Houssem Aouar and Moussa Dembélé. These decisions, combined with limited options beyond the starting lineup, reveal the club’s vulnerabilities.

Blanc’s coaching style has become a point of contention. Despite his notable successes at PSG, he seems out of touch with the current dynamics of Ligue 1. Under his leadership, Lyon appears listless and uninspired. Their game against Nice was telling, as the opposition managed to showcase a clearer strategy.

Ligue 1 Montpellier HSC Ugly Sweater Best picture ever

The mismatch between Blanc’s tactical approach and the present-day league’s dynamism has been evident. His reliance on the raw skill of forwards Rayan Cherki and Bradley Barcola contrasts starkly with the league’s shift from its previous physical and pragmatic style.

Furthermore, even Lyon’s players seem to be in the dark about Blanc’s exact game plan. The team boasts talents like Anthony Lopes, Corentin Tolisso, Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolás Tagliafico, and Maxence Caqueret. Yet, the current form doesn’t reflect their capabilities.

Throughout its history, Lyon’s success never banked on consistent coaching. During their seven-title run in the 2000s, they operated under four different managers. Former president Jean-Michel Aulas’s leadership during that time was a cornerstone. Comparatively, the shift to new owner, John Textor, has led to tensions and potential financial issues under the watchful eye of French football’s regulatory body, the DNCG.

Currently, with Lyon’s potential and caliber, they should be challenging for top spots. However, under the combined leadership of Textor and Blanc, they seem directionless and risk becoming a mid-tier team. Given their current performance trajectory and the league’s new 18-team structure, relegation is not out of the question. It might not be long before managerial changes are on the horizon.

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Mai Linh Pham

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