Lyon's Rise

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Just picked this off the BBC website there. Good read and you have to say its been some great work by the management and behind the scenes to get this club to where they are.

If any aspiring football chairman wants to learn how best to run a football club, they could do worse than pay a visit to French champions Lyon.

Les Gones are attempting to become the first club from a major European league to win six titles in succession.

Unbeaten in Le Championnat this season, and already five points clear of second place Marseille, the odds are shortening by the week on Lyon accomplishing their goal of a sixth consecutive title.

In the Champions League, Lyon have been in equally scintillating form, destroying Real Madrid with a virtuoso attacking performance in their opening group game, before demolishing Steaua Bucharest away in Romania in their next match.

As they prepare to face Dynamo Kiev in the Ukraine on Tuesday, Lyon lead Group E by three points.

BBC Sport talks to Tottenham sporting director and Frenchman Damien Comolli to discover the secrets of Lyon's success.

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE


Unless your name is Roman Abramovich and you have money to burn there are no quick fixes to building a successful football club.

Current Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas took over just under 20 years ago in June 1987.

He had to wait 15 years to realise his dream of bringing Lyon their first French Ligue 1 title.

When Aulas, who was the the chairman of a software company, took over Lyon they were in the second division, but he promised to have the club back in the first division and in European competitions within four years.

In 1988, Aulas appointed Bernard Lacombe as sporting director and former Lyon player Raymond Domenech - now France manager - as coach.

Toulalan holds it together in midfield for Lyon



Domenech immediately guided the team to promotion.

Aulas's promise of European football within four years was also delivered, though the club's Uefa Cup campaign was disastrous as they were beaten 8-4 on aggregate by Trabzonspor.

That season - 1991-1992 - Lyon also only avoided relegation by only two points.

Another 10 years was to pass before Lyon picked a major trophy when in May 2001 they claimed the French League Cup, their first piece of silverware since 1973 when they won the French Cup.

In the three years before they claimed the title, Lyon twice finished third and were runners-up in 2001.

The following year Lyon clinched the Ligue 1 crown on the last day of the season, beating Lens 3-1, who had been ahead of them by one point going into the game.

According to Comolli, the continuity provided by Aulas and the club's sporting director Bernard Lacombe has been key to Lyon's success.

"The club has had the the same people, Aulas as chairman, as well as the chief executive and Lacombe as sporting director, since the late 1980s.

"Even when they didn't get the popular results they stayed together. There is a continuity within the management of the club and that is so important."

COACHING SUCCESS


Lyon have had plenty of coaches under Aulas.

As well as Domenech, former Fulham boss Jean Tigana has also coached the club, but Jacques Santini, Paul le Guen - now at Rangers - and current boss Gerard Houllier, are the three coaches who have each taken Lyon to a higher level.

Santini arrived in 2000 and within two years had delivered that elusive title, before he was appointed coach of the French national team.

Le Guen replaced Santini and led the club to their next three league title successes.

But Comolli believes Houllier's appointment in the summer of 2005 could see the club achieve Aulas's next ambition - Champions League success.

"Gerard was the person they needed to finish the job," said Comolli.

"He is very intelligent and has got so much experience. That is why I think they will do something very big in Europe.

"There are six teams who can win the Champions League and Lyon are one of those six.

"You need luck - with refereeing decisions and injuries - but Lyon are up there with the big teams in Europe now."

CIRCLE OF SUCCESS


By winning the French league title again and again and thereby qualifying for the Champions League, Lyon have established a vice-like financial superiority over their domestic rivals.

Over the last two years, Lyon have lost key players such as Michael Essien and Mali midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, but their financial power - the club now has a £100m annual turnover - means they invariably sign the best French players.

Diarra has been replaced by 23-year-old Jeremy Toulalan, who joined from Nantes in the summer, and is seen as Claude Makelele's successor in the French national team.

"Clubs like Paris St Germain, Marseille and Monaco have had no continuity," said Comolli.

"Lyon's stability and success has given them a massive edge over their rvals. Because they win everything that means they can buy the best French players.

"They are miles wealthier than other clubs in France. If you are a French player then there is no other club you aspire to play for."

SCOUTS DO YOUR BEST


As well as recruiting the best French talent, Lyon have discovered if you want to get ahead, a dash of Brazilian skill goes a long way.

The club have established a formidable scouting network in Brazil, which has been developed by Marcelo, the first Brazilian defender to play for Lyon during the 1990s.

Working in tandem with sporting director Lacombe, Marcelo has proved a shrewd judge of talent.

Integral to Lyon's recent success have been defenders Cris and Cacapba, midfielder Juninho and striker Fred.

Juninho proved be an inspirational purchase, the player that dictates how Lyon player and who scores his fair share of goals, notably from free-kicks.

It is no coincidence that he joined at the start of the season Lyon secured their first league title.

MINING GOLD


Lyon used to have the best academy in France and the first part of their success was partly built on developing their own young players.

Lyon have high hopes of youngster Karim Benzema



Lyon's academy is no longer the best - according to Comolli Rennes has now the most impressive youth development scheme in France- but the French champions are still capable of producing a gem every two or three years.

Much is expected of Hatem Ben Arfa and even more of Karim Benzema.

"Karim is going to be fantastic player," said Comolli. "He is a striker who can play in wide positions. He is very strong, very quick, who can score goals. He reminds me a bit of Sylvain Wiltord."

[crowie]

Good stuff Kiko but you have to question the strength in depth of French football if managers such as Le Guen and Houllier can lead them to titles

Being serious, the key to their success is mentioned above, continuity. Teams that should be challenging them, like Marseille, Monaco and PSG, won't give their managers enough time and are always changing players too often. Smaller clubs who challenge like Lille or Lens can't sustain the challenge and end up losing their best players, either to the bigger clubs or abroad. Lyon just keep the basis of the same team, slowly integrate new players into it and have a decent youth set up as well.

[CJ Mars]

He reminds me a bit of Sylvain Wiltord

Damning with faint praise that