Jean-Michel Aulas hits out at critical Lyon supporters – Get French Football News

In the wake of Lyon’s home defeat to Strasbourg on Saturday night, president Jean-Michel Aulas faced the press, notably criticising attacks from supporters and defending the club’s management team.

His words reported by RMC Sport, the long-time OL owner lamented a pre-match attack on the team’s bus from protesting fans, some of which had turned violent, he explains. For Aulas, an attack on the directors – namely Vincent Ponsot and Bruno Cheyrou, both the target of the fans’ ire – is an attack on himself – “I can’t accept this kind of expression which has no basis in reality with regard to the work that’s been done”.

Fans asked for the pair’s resignations during the match – as well as calling on certain players such as Karl Toko Ekambi to leave – while new owner John Textor was in the stands. He went on to insist that change was on its way and that the club would be dipping into the transfer market, but that they needed the fans to be with them – “We are preparing things in order to restore a positive dynamic. When you’re having a difficult time, you need to create a spark to change the mindset.”

For Aulas, Laurent Blanc’s men put in one of their best performances of the season – as evidenced by their 28 shots – and the president is optimistic the team can kick on and move up the table, even if they continue to make mistakes.

“We have limited room for manoeuvre in this transfer window. We’re going to try turning it around. You have to have faith in us. We’re not the only club in Europe that’s having these difficulties, look at Chelsea.”