It hasn't been easy going for OL boss Laurent Blanc since taking charge of the team in October, but the coach with four Ligue 1 Uber Eats titles to his name believes his squad has the quality to turn things around in 2023.
An historic home loss to Clermont on New Year's day marked another setback in what has been a difficult start to life in Lyon for four-time Ligue 1 title winning coach Laurent Blanc.
"It's annoying me because I can't seem to make them understand that the very least Lyon should be getting from a game like that is a point," Blanc told the Ligue 1 Show on beIN SPORTS.
From his 7 games in charge, Blanc's version of Lyon have managed just 3 victories for 3 defeats and a draw. Given the talent present in the squad, it's clearly a perplexing situation.
"I'm very angry with them, but I can't take it out on them, I really like these boys, it's very frustrating to see them in this situation," Blanc explained. "I think this squad has been having a rough time for a good while now. Every time we get the opportunity to get back on track, sadly, we don't take it, so we have to really think now… They need help."
Tough job
When Blanc came in for Peter Bosz in mid-October, the team already looked like it needed help. His predecessor was let go with OL winless in five, despite having no European distractions for the second time in three years!
Having led Bordeaux to the French title in 2009 and PSG to consecutive titles in 2014, 2015 and 2016, Blanc was one of the most decorated coaches on the market, and Lyon were delighted to lure the former defender back to European football after a six-year hiatus.
Recruitment drive?
With Lyon currently eighth, ten points behind fourth-placed Rennes, 57-year-old Blanc has plenty of work to do to get OL back among the top sides. And as it's January, recruitment is one of the things he is working on.
"We'll do what we can to improve the squad and change the dynamic," declared the experienced coach. "I hope we don't get things wrong, but I honestly think that 90% of the current squad will finish the season here. And it's a very strong squad!"
Young guns need support
Croatian centre-back Dejan Lovren has returned to the club 10 years after leaving for Liverpool, boosting defensive options and bringing experience to a young side. Six of the 11 that have started in Lyon's last two games have been under the age of 23. Promising players no doubt, but Blanc is still hoping for more from the rest of his team.
"If you think it's the young, extremely young lads, 17 or 18 years old, who hold the answers to turning this situation around… maybe you're right," he said. "But I'm not convinced."
The talented but unpredictable Rayan Cherki has responded well to Blanc's instructions and appears to nearing his full potential, but plenty remains for both the teenage playmaker and his team-mates to do as the Laurent Blanc revolution continues to await take-off!
