French Coupe de la Ligue

Lyon stand by Puel

October 28, 2010
By ESPNsoccernet staff

Struggling French side Lyon will stick with under-pressure coach Claude Puel despite Wednesday night's Coupe de la Ligue defeat to Paris St Germain.

Claude Puel is facing a fans' revolt
GettyImages / PhilippeDesmazesClaude Puel: Took up the reins at Lyon in 2008

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Lyon, who spent heavily in the summer with Yoann Gourcuff their biggest recruit from Bordeaux for €22 million, are just three points above the relegation zone in Ligue 1 and were hoping for a good cup run to boost confidence at the club.

However, Ludovic Giuly's extra-time volley dumped Les Gones out of the competition at the fourth-round stage and heaped more pressure on the manager.

But Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas remains convinced Puel is the man turn it around at the seven-time Ligue 1 winners.

Aulas said: "There was a board meeting which analysed the season so far. Our league form is disappointing but we have on reflection decided to keep the current staff in place.

"The board has asked me to become more involved. We think that things are progressing well.

"The players put on a good performance, and they respond more to expectations put on them. There is no change this evening, but there will be more relationships developed from within. This will hopefully allow the side to be more open.

"Everything remains possible in the league and Champions League."

Lyon's next match is at home to Sochaux, who are just one point ahead of Puel's side in Ligue 1.