Olympique Lyon Manager Confirms His Main Objective
Carlos Vicens has begun his tenure as Olympique Lyon manager with a clear goal: qualifying for the Champions League. The Spanish coach discussed his experience working alongside Pep Guardiola, his attacking philosophy, and the challenges awaiting him in France.
Olympique Lyon has entered a new era under Carlos Vicens, who led his first training session on Tuesday before addressing the media to outline his objectives with the French club.
The Spanish manager made it clear that one of his main priorities is securing qualification for next season's Champions League, although he acknowledged that achieving this goal will require significant effort throughout the remainder of the campaign.
Vicens also emphasized that the team will not neglect its other competitions. Lyon will aim to remain competitive in the Coupe de France and the Europa League, where he believes a top-eight finish is achievable.
Beyond results, the coach highlighted his desire to build an entertaining team capable of exciting supporters through its style of play.
Pep Guardiola's Influence on Lyon's New Manager
One of the most notable aspects of his introduction was the experience Carlos Vicens gained while working alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
The Spanish coach explained that his time with the Catalan manager helped him develop a mindset focused on continuous improvement and finding new tactical solutions.
Vicens emphasized his preference for attacking football, high pressing, personality, and a possession-oriented approach.
Meanwhile, Lyon's technical director, Michael Gerliger, revealed that he spoke with Pep Guardiola before finalizing the appointment.
The Manchester City manager praised Vicens' personal and professional qualities, particularly his work on set pieces, and encouraged the club to move forward with negotiations.
Carlos Vicens Intends to Preserve Lyon's Footballing Identity
The new manager also acknowledged the challenges of taking charge of a team midway through the season, especially following the work carried out by Paolo Fonseca, who left the club to join Sporting CP.
Although Vicens used a three-center-back formation during his time at Braga, he explained that he is willing to adapt to the four-defender system traditionally used by Olympique Lyon.
His intention is to preserve the positive aspects of the team's collective performances while gradually introducing his own tactical ideas.
Key Takeaways
- Carlos Vicens led his first training session as Olympique Lyon manager.
- His main objective is to secure Champions League qualification.
- Pep Guardiola recommended his appointment after speaking with Michael Gerliger.
- The Spanish coach favors attacking football and high pressing.
- Vicens aims to preserve the team's identity following Paolo Fonseca's departure.
