Christian Bassila returns to Lyon as Academy director | OneFootball

Olympique Lyonnais have appointed former midfielder Christian Bassila as Academy director, the club confirmed.

An OL academy graduate, Bassila made 59 first-team appearances under Bernard Lacombe.

He first came back in 2015 as director of pre-formation, then left in 2019 for INBF de Clairefontaine.

Bassila said returning to OL reconnects him with his own story, and that the club shaped him as a player and as a man. He wants to give back by helping to develop future generations, bringing experience, conviction and energy to what he considers one of Europe’s best academies.

Technical director Matthieu Louis-Jean welcomed his return, highlighting Bassila’s competitive edge, experience and attachment to the club as assets for the Academy. He said Bassila reflects a Lyon DNA instilled by coaches such as Gérard Drevet and Robert Valette, and that his skill set and values made him an obvious choice to lead.

Source: Le Progres