Francefootball.fr Story: Puel and Aulas Reach A Deal

By: Julien | June 12th, 2008

Does Puel have a future with the champions? More details in the Claude Puel departure have surfaced. According to francefootball.fr, Claude Puel and Olympique Lyonnais’ Jean-Michel Aulas have composed a contract for the current Lille manager. The contract with Lyon is reportedly for four years. All of this according to francefootball is occurring behind the scenes. The French sports website reports that Lille will not finalize anything till they find a replacement which leads us to the next possible development…

Rudi Garcia To Lille? Francefootball also confirms that Rudi Garcia has signed a contract with Lille for 250,000 euros. This story, however, contradicts what the president of Le Mans has to say about his manager:
“Out of the question. Rudi Garcia is a manceau (inhabitant of Le Mans) and he is going to stay here.”

Lille has not made any real signings yet this transfer season. I think it may be due to the whole Puel ordeal. To me it seems like LOSC is trying to settle who will manage the club next season before bringing in new players. The leadership is showing interest in numerous players, but still no changes have been made. Rudi Garcia is no Puel. I am hoping we hear some good news with the club. It is a bad time for Lille fans. Ma pauvre équipe! Seydoux owes us a big signing if Puel leaves.

Simon Pouplin
Pouplin is another potential replacement for LOSC keeper Tony Sylva. Le Mans and Lille are both interested in the keeper, but neither transfer is close to completion. Simon’s profile:
Current Club: Stade rennais
Number: 30
Nationality: French
Date of birth: May 28, 1985 (23 years old)
Place of Birth: Cholet
Height: 1m87
Position: Goalkeeper
Junior Clubs:
1991-2000 JF et SO Cholet
2000-2003 Stade rennais
Professional Clubs:
2003- 2008 Stade rennais 79 Matches
National Selections:
2005-2006 Équipe de France Espoirs 1 Match