Jean-Michel Aulas leaves the management of Olympique Lyonnais, after 36 years at the head of the club

The end of an era. Jean-Michel Aulas leaves the post of CEO of Olympique Lyonnais, after 36 years at the head of the football club, announces the latter (document in PDF) Monday, May 8. The American businessman John Textor, the new owner of OL, takes over from him. Jean Michel Aulas “will be named honorary president” of the club.

He bought the Lyon team in 1987, when it was languishing in the second division. Under his leadership, OL became one of the strongholds of French football. If their performances have been in decline in recent years, the Gones have notably won seven consecutive titles of champions of France between 2002 and 2008. Jean-Michel Aulas also contributed to the development of the women’s team, which has won eight European titles and fifteen French championships since 2007.

In a press release, OL Groupe thanks Jean-Michel Aulas “for his unreserved commitment and dedication to Olympique Lyonnais for more than three decades, during which more than 50 titles have been won for both men’s and women’s teams”. “All stakeholders are grateful to him for his commitment and leadership qualities which have enabled the club to become a stronghold in European football for both men and women”insists the club.