Lyon’s Epic Fail: How American Businessman John Textor Admitted Defeat and Announced His Exit!
Have you ever seen one of France’s most famous football clubs, Lyon, turn into a complete disaster? Well, now you have! American businessman John Textor, who took over the club at the end of 2022, has finally admitted he didn’t know how to run Lyon properly. And that’s not all – he announced he’s stepping back from the day-to-day running of the club.
How Did It All Go Wrong?
Lyon, once the pride of French football, was recently administratively relegated to France’s second division. Yes, you read that right – the second tier! While Textor was more successful on the sporting side, he clearly had no clue how to handle the political and managerial challenges in France. He himself admitted he wasn’t good enough politically, which led to problems he couldn’t solve.
What Did Textor Say?
In an interview given in Philadelphia, after attending the defeat of Brazilian club Botafogo (also owned by him), Textor said: “I will focus more on the work of the Eagle Football group globally. I have great partners who will take over managing the problems that, honestly, I didn’t know how to solve in France.”
The Eagle Football group includes Belgian club Molenbeek, as well as Botafogo and Palmeiras from Brazil. Textor also announced he will soon sell his shares in Crystal Palace, the English Premier League club, to focus on other projects.
Financial Situation and UEFA
Although Lyon successfully passed UEFA’s financial fair play check, allowing them to participate in the Europa League next season, provided they remain in France’s top flight, Textor emphasized that the relegation decision was due to specific local circumstances in France, not financial problems. He claimed the club never had financial issues and actually had more funds available than ever before.
Pride and Disappointment
In the end, Textor expressed pride in the results Lyon achieved on the pitch, pointing out that the club hadn’t played in the Europa League for a long time, and they brought them back two years in a row. However, it’s clear that managing the club in France was his biggest challenge, and he ultimately had to admit defeat.
What Does This Mean for Lyon and Its Fans?
Lyon is a club with a rich history and big ambitions. Relegation to the second division and management problems cast a shadow over the club’s future. Fans are disappointed, and many wonder who will take over the club and whether they can bring it back to its former glory.
Conclusion
John Textor might have been great on the sporting side, but he clearly wasn’t ready for the political and managerial battles in France. His stepping back from daily management is an admission that he failed to solve the inherited problems. Now, it remains to be seen who will take over the club and whether they can save it from further decline.
Got thoughts on this disaster? Know someone who could run Lyon better? Drop a comment below. Maybe it’s time for a new hero to rise for this legendary club – or watch it all fall like a house of cards? Time will tell.
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