Hubert Fournier, waltz in three stages – The Équipe.fr

Failure to start

The beginnings of Hubert Fournier arrived Stadium Reims for compensation of 360,000 euros, are catastrophic. After an easy qualification in the third qualifying round of the Europa League against Mladá Boleslav (4-1, 2-1) and an unconvincing opening win over Rennes (2-0) in Ligue 1, Lyon are eliminated by modest Romanians Astra Giurgiu (0-2,1-0) dams and miss qualification for the European fall for the first time in seventeen years.

In the league, they fall three times in a row, to Toulouse (1-2) against Lens (0-1) and Metz (2-1), two future relegated. Repeatedly tests the 4-3-3 Fournier, who prefers to try to reassure a team that had yet found its automation 4-4-2 for several months. The operation is always a failure. The rout in Lorraine, while OL led to ten minutes remaining, also highlights another problem, that of physical preparation. On the flight back, the coach makes a decision: he does not want to see Alexandre Marles, arrived together with him as a “performance manager” whose preseason program left all the world puzzled <. /> p>

The state of grace

The OL, 17, is at its worst when starting the international break. Especially as his next two opponents are Monaco and Paris. But the staff will enjoy this first half of September to run these, who asked it. In the picture, the coach will also listen to his group: because the talent is before he will accept the imbalance. The match against Monaco (2-1) will draw the trend of the following month. OL is friable but enough player to make a difference

After a draw at the Parc (1-1), Lyon strung good results . For six months, they will concede only one defeat in Ligue 1 – however unfortunate as this was the first for twenty years in Saint-Etienne (0-3). The facts of the game are often favorable to it, but it’s especially Lacazette-Fekir duo bringing OL. And when Yoann Gourcuff just add to, Lyonnais are irresistible. The three international start only five games overall, but five wins and three goals against average.

The slow decline and

OL finished in second place, even if it passes two points ahead of PSG in the 29th day eight points delay at the end despite a digestible calendar. But if the spring was disappointing summer is disastrous: the recruits are expensive (around EUR 40 million), the ego of the “new rich” – extended and upgraded players during the transfer window – is poorly managed and some extra players are assigned to hurry. The coach tightens the dressing room, as when Alexandre Lacazette overwhelms after a missed penalty.

In the field, OL Hubert Fournier will not recover from the serious injury of Nabil Fekir. And the fall is catastrophic: Lyon are ridiculous in the Champions League and finish the first part of the season in ninth place in the championship, five points behind the podium. The five losses (to zero) in the last six days have pushed Jean-Michel Aulas to bend his principles: Hubert Fournier is only the fourth coach fired during the season since he took the presidency in 1987 and only the second since the ascent to Division 1, there are twenty-six.