Lyon Boss Genesio To Leave At Season

By Max Wise

Bruno Genesio has confirmed that he will leave as manager of Olympique Lyon at the end of the season.

Genesio has been at the club since December 2015 but his position at the French side has been hanging in the balance since club President Jean-Michel Aulas withdrew his offer of a new two-year contract after Lyon were knocked out of the Coupe de France by Rennes.

Genesio, whose contract was due to expire at the end of the season, guided Lyon to the round of 16 in this season’s UEFA Champions League where they were eliminated by Barcelona on a 5-1 aggregate.

"For some time, I've been facing - we've been facing - a negative climate, which can be a drag on the players and the club," Genesio told a news conference on Saturday.

"I had a very long conversation this morning with my president, in order to tell him that I will not continue next year.

"I informed my players this morning. I'm counting on everyone to keep together because we need to get the club into the Champions League. A fair few players have supported me.

"It's in the interest of the club that I have taken this decision, in agreement with my president."

Lyon currently occupy the third and final Champions League place in the French Ligue 1 with eight games of the season still to play.

One of the managers rumored to be on the list of favourites to take charge of the seven-time French champions is Jose Mourinho, who has expressed his desire to manage in the French Ligue 1.