Garde steps up to become Lyon coach
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
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Ex-France midfielder Rémi Garde has moved from his role managing the Olympique Lyonnais academy to become their new coach, replacing Claude Puel for the play-off hopefuls.
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Olympique Lyonnais have named Rémi Garde as their new coach, a day after they parted company with Claude Puel.
Former French international midfielder Garde, 45, steps up from his role of academy director at the club he played for from 1984 to 1993. He has signed a one-year contract with the option for a further 12 months.
"I am happy and proud to accept this challenge," Garde said. "It's a tough task. But for many reasons I feel excited. Things moved quickly but I have been part of the family for a long time and it's with joy and confidence that I accepted."
After spells at RC Strasbourg and Arsenal FC – where he won the 1997/98 double in his penultimate season before retirement – Garde joined Lyon's coaching staff in 2003. He held a variety of roles and was part of the team that oversaw five successive Ligue 1 triumphs.
