Juninho Pernambucano will leave Olympique Lyon this winter as sporting director, he has informed Le Progress. The driver had initially set his sights on a departure at the end of the season, but is now coming back to that. Juninho’s imminent departure is a slap in the face for Lyon fans as they pushed for more powers for the Brazilian.
Juninho recently gave in a podcast by RMC Sports to leave as director of Lyon after this season. “I hope we finish the season in a good way and after that it’s normally over,” said the former midfielder. “I always kept in mind that this was a three-year adventure. A lot of people think that a sporting director does nothing, but it is very challenging mentally.” Juninho’s words came as a surprise to some club executives, including chairman Jean-Michel Aulas, who was unaware of the sports director’s state of mind.
Since Juninho’s statements, Lyon has had to deal with blow after blow. For example, the competition match against Olympique Marseille was stopped after a supporter threw an object at Dimitri Payet’s head, Peter Bosz’s team was unable to beat low-flyers Stade Reims (1-2) and Girondins Bordeaux (2-2) and book several players insufficient progression, including tastemaker Lucas Paquetá. Things are going well in the Europa League. Bosz managed to win the first five group matches with his team and is already certain of participating in the knockout phase.
Juninho’s departure is a setback for Lyon fans, who have recently been pushing for him to be given more powers to influence buying policy. The club has already indicated that it is looking for a suitable successor. Juninho himself does not rule out the possibility that he will stand alongside the line as a trainer in the future. “If the opportunity is there, I’d like to try it. I’d rather try and fail than in ten years time wondering why I didn’t do it. I’m not afraid to try.” Lyon is in a disappointing twelfth place in Ligue 1.
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