LYON – Olympique Lyonnais, long considered one of France’s elite football clubs, will compete in Ligue 2 next season following a dramatic collapse in form that culminated with relegation confirmation.
The club’s decline became undeniable after a string of poor results in the closing weeks. Despite their storied past—seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles between 2002 and 2008 and consistent European competition—Lyon have fallen short this season, unable to arrest a slide that saw them finish in the bottom three.
Club insiders cite a combination of factors behind the collapse: shaky defence, inconsistent scoring, and management instability with two head coach changes during the campaign. Financial strains linked to delayed player sales and mounting wages have also been blamed.
Fans staged protests outside Stade de Gerland, waving banners calling for comprehensive reform. Many analysts suggest a full-scale rebuild is necessary, including restructuring the club’s sporting leadership and reassessing its transfer strategy.
Despite the setback, Lyon’s rich youth academy—which has produced top talents in previous years—remains a key asset. Supporters hope the club will lean on its youth system to return stronger.
It will now be up to Lyon’s new sporting director and coaching staff to craft a winning plan. The main objective: secure immediate promotion back to Ligue 1 while stabilising the club’s finances and reinvigorating supporter trust.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.