“He is able to take up the challenge without a problem,” says Bixente Lizarazu

“He is able to meet the challenge without problem“, estimated Bixente Lizarazu, the football consultant of France info, world champion of 1998, about the appointment this Sunday October 9 of Laurent Blanc, 56 years old, as new coach of Olympique Lyonnais. Six years after his departure from PSG, he returns to Ligue 1 and succeeds Peter Bosz, sacked after a series of five matches without a win in the league.

OL are in great difficulty and must be revived. “What he must bring to Lyon is confidence. It’s a team that has talented players but doesn’t show it on the pitch, so there’s management work to be done and tactically.“, to analyse Bixente Lizarazu.

“He can bring his coaching experience, his vision of football, his style, with a possession game in particular”

Bixente Lizarazu, France Info’s football consultant

France Info

Laurent Blanc has not coached in Ligue 1 since leaving PSG in 2016.”It was time for him to return to the French championship. He has two careers that I found remarkable, in Bordeaux and at PSG. At PSG when we look at the career of the different coaches who followed, he is one of those who had the best performances.said Bixente Lizarazu, before continuing, He has quite clear ideas about football and the football he loves.“

Laurent Blanc is coming out of a long period of inactivity and a failed spell in Qatar, in the club of Al Rayyan who thanked him last February after 18 months without a title. His return to Ligue 1 will be carefully structured. He remains one of the best coaches in the history of the tricolor championship. In just six seasons, three in Bordeaux (2007-2010), and as many at PSG (2013-2016), he won four league titles, including three in the capital. Laurent Blanc has also offered PSG a game identity, based on offensive and ball possession.