It looks like Lyon’s legendary president Jean-Michel Aulas’ time will end soon. The 73-year-old supremo has been like a god since 1987, but the revolution is coming from America to end an era. Oh, and also to make a wealthy pensioner even richer.There have been rumblings for a few months. Still, now it’s official: American businessman John Textor has entered into final negotiations to take over a controlling stake of the French club. OL has confirmed that Textor’s company Eagle Football Holdings is set to assume a 66.5 per cent stake in the Ligue 1 outfit.He was young once was Jean-Michel Aulas. 35 years – that’s a long time. #OL #Lyon pic.twitter.com/NmDwnk33Xa— LearnEnglishThroughFootball (@LETFootball) June 15, 2022 Even though Aulas should keep his role as club president, he will no longer be the majority owner. His people will have two seats in the club’s assembly, but they will be no more than a memento of the times gone by. Aulas will have to admit that there will be other people having the final say in ‘his’ club’s decision.You shouldn’t feel sorry for the wily old businessman, however. He will earn around $90 million from the sale. Nice fund for a pensioner, isn’t it?The question of football clubs’ ownership has been a sensitive one in France. There is an ongoing debate about whether the Middle-East millions poured into Paris Saint-Germain are making the sport better or not. Or look at Bordeaux. They used to be champions of France but have been relegated to the third tier due to financial problems during the disastrous period under American owners. They have recently been acquired by Spanish businessman Gerard Lopez and face the daunting task of returning to where they belong.16.00: (7.75) La Fiorita (3.70) Inter Escaldes (1.53)Textor, who also owns around 40 per cent of Premier League side Crystal Palace, a majority stake in Brazilian giants Botafogo and part of Belgian club RWD Molenbeek, says he has the idea of his clubs working together in achieving goals.”My football plan is to create an ecosystem of cooperative top-tier clubs that will benefit from the sharing of a global footprint of talent identification.”Textor added that his targets for Lyon are to return to European competition next season before establishing themselves as contenders for the French title and continental silverware.After a poor season in which Lyon struggled to make their mark on Ligue 1, the arrival of their favourite son Alexandre Lacazette has given the fans a new hope that they could indeed be a real force again. It’s anyone’s guess whether they will cherish the new investors or long for the days gone by of Jean-Michel Aulas’ absolute rule.
