FEATURE | Player Psychology & Positional Play: Who is Pierre Sage, Lyon’s new interim manager?
A year ago, Pierre Sage was coaching as an assistant manager in the French National (third division) before moving to a position at Lyon as head of the club’s youth academy. He now finds himself entrusted with leading Lyon’s senior side in the most tumultuous of circumstances. From groundbreaking work in psychological preparation in youth football, to an attractive Guardiola style-of-play, who is Pierre Sage and what could help him get the best out of Les Gones?
Fabio Grosso was this morning officially sacked as Olympique Lyonnais boss after only seven games in charge at the Groupama Stadium, following on from Laurent Blanc’s early season departure. After a disappointing 2-0 loss against Lille, Les Olympiens remain at the bottom of the Ligue 1 table, with only seven points to their name.
Whilst Lyon owner John Textor gave his backing to Grosso last week, the defeat proved to be the final straw for the American – who said he would be meeting the Italian this week to discuss his future.
The likes of Bruno Genesio, and former Marseille bosses Igor Tudor and Jorge Sampaoli are on the shortlist to permanently replace Grosso, according to RMC Sport. However in the meantime, it will be youth academy director Pierre Sage who will take the reins of the team who face Lens on Saturday, and potentially for the replay trip to Marseille on Wednesday.
Sage, as opposed to his two previous predecessors in the OL hot seat, is not a World Cup winner. Despite a playing career which never touched the top level, Sage is a coach in the purest sense. The 44-year-old forged a reputation in the Rhône-Alpes region as an effective backroom staff member in various local clubs and a brief stint at Sedan, before joining the city of Lyon’s second team
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