A “weakened” Fabio Grosso is set for a meeting with Olympique Lyonnais owner John Textor in the coming days, according to L’Équipe.
It had initially been reported that Grosso’s job was not under threat, despite the club’s poor form. The Italian manager inherited a club in crisis when he replaced Laurent Blanc in September, but with just one win in seven games, Lyon remain bottom of Ligue 1. L’Équipe had reported that Grosso’s job could quickly come under threat and the publication now reports that he is set for a meeting with Textor.
Antonetti, Genesio or Sampaoli to replace Grosso?
The meeting comes not only amidst a poor run of form, but also amidst rumoured tensions in the dressing room. Grosso’s decision-making, which in recent weeks has players such as Alexandre Lacazette, Corentin Tolisso and Rayan Cherki dropped has “weakened” the Italian manager’s standing with some of the crucial elements of the dressing room.
Grosso’s immediate future as Lyon manager will depend on his acceptance of Textor’s request to stop experimenting with the line-up and take a more pragmatic approach. However, according to L’Équipe, there is a chance that Textor could sack Grosso.
There are no signs as to who could replace Grosso. Firefighter manager Frédéric Antonetti has been linked with the job, as has former OL manager Bruno Genesio, who left Stade Rennais during the international break. Both rumours are unfounded, according to L’Équipe, whilst Textor himself has already publicly denied links with a move for former Olympique de Marseille manager Jorge Sampaoli. An interim appointment could be privileged by Textor.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle