A week of madness. Since June 24, Olympique Lyonnais has been agitating in all directions. Last Tuesday, the DNCG decided to demotize Olympique Lyonnais in Ligue 2.. In the process, many supporters have claimed the head of John Textor, more and more weakened. At the same time, a return of Laurent Prudhomme, who had been ousted from his post as director general a few weeks earlier, was mentioned on Thursday. Friday, it was finally the duo Michele Kang-Michael Gerlinger who was cited to take the relay of Textor, who wanted to take a step back conscious of not having carried out his mission in Lyon.
Eagle Football approves these changes
This Monday, Olympique Lyonnais decided and announced the departure of the American businessman. “Olympique Lyonnais (OL) has confirmed changes in its management team today, by appointing Michele Kang to the post of president of the club and president and chief and chief executor of Eagle Football Group and Michael Gerlinger to the post of director general of the club (…) John Textor resigned from his management functions within the Lyonnais Olympic, including the Board of Directors.” A news approved by Eagle Football which also published a press release.
“Eagle Football Holdings Limited has now confirmed its support for management changes which will take place in its subsidiary Eagle Football Group (France) and Olympique Lyonnais. John Textor, president and majority shareholder of Eagle Football Holdings, acting in his capacity as a single administrator and on behalf of the single shareholder of Olympique Lyonnais, today appointed Michael Gerlinger to the post of Managing Director and Michele Kang as President of the Board of Directors. Mr. Textor resigned from his management functions at Olympique Lyonnais, for the benefit of Ms. Kang and Mr. Gerlinger. ”
Textor wants to invest in England
Eagle Football continues: “Michele Kang, also the majority shareholder of Eagle Football Holdings and member of the OL Board of Directors since 2023, has been appointed president. She will play an active role with the OL General Directorate, in particular by piloting the club's call procedure with the DNCG. Michael Gerlinger, currently Sports Director of Eagle Football, was appointed Managing Director of Olympique Lyonnais. Respected personality of the European football administration, Michael has more than twenty years of experience in governance, regulatory business and sports operations. ”
Finally, the group said more about the future of its boss. “M. Textor remains Chairman and CEO and majority shareholder of Eagle Football Holdings (United Kingdom), main shareholder of SAF Botafogo (Brazil), Olympique Lyonnais (France), Crystal Palace FC (England) and Daring Brussels (Belgium). On a daily basis, he will now focus on SAF Botafogo, Daring Brussels and the Eagle football club acquisition strategies in the United Kingdom ” In the same press release, John Textor delivered his first impressions after this size change.
The American evokes his future and slips a tackle at the DNCG
“I am extremely proud of the global sporting successes of Eagle Football, with historical championships, cup victories and qualifications for tournaments in Brazil, France and England, but it is clear that we have to make changes in our management approach, if we want to be as effective outside the field as on the field (…) Each of our clubs and each of our communities, Local anchoring and the ability to meet sporting and extrasportive challenges we face. »»
He continues about OL: “It is obvious to everyone that Michele is the ideal choice to direct OL, and I am delighted for our community that it has accepted this position. On a personal level, I am really impatient to reduce my daily management responsibilities in Europe, in order to be able to focus on the markets where we have all freedom to manage our football clubs … to invest, innovate, grow and be competitive. OL is in good hands with Michele, and I will focus on Botafogo, Daring Brussels and our next club in England. ” After a small tackle at the DNCG concerning the freedom to be able to invest as he wishes, Textor leaves OL where he will not leave a good memory.
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