Lair replaces Benstiti at Lyon
Monday, June 21, 2010
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Patrice Lair has been appointed coach of UEFA Women's Champions League runners-up Olympique Lyonnais, taking over from Farid Benstiti who led the club to four straight French titles.
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UEFA Women's Champions League runners-up Olympique Lyonnais have appointed Patrice Lair to succeed Farid Benstiti as coach.
Benstiti is leaving his position on the expiry of his contract, having first become coach of FC Lyon in 2001, three years before the city's main club took over. This season Lyon won their fourth straight French title and reached the inaugural UEFA Women's Champions League final, losing on penalties to 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam in Getafe after making the UEFA Women's Cup last four on their previous two appearances.
Lair, 49, a former player and coach in France's lower divisions, was in charge of Montpellier Hérault SC from 2005 to 2007. In that time he reached the 2005/06 UEFA Women's Cup semi-finals, losing to 1. FFC Frankfurt on away goals, and twice won the French Cup, beating Lyon in the final both times. At Lyon he will link up with two key members of his old Montpellier squad: playmaker Louisa Nécib and winger Élodie Thomis.
"I'm not afraid to say I'm here to win the Champions League," said Lair, whose side will begin the competition in the round of 32. "This trophy has to come to France to help women's football."
