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Patient \u00a0Olympique Lyonnais (OL)\u00a0 is still alive. Since June 24, when the announcement of relegation to \u00a0Ligue 2\u00a0 was made by the DNCG, the Rhone club has been in \u00a0apnea\u00a0. The most pessimistic among fans even predicted the end of OL’s story. Yet, in a matter of days, \u00a0Michele Kang\u00a0, the new president of Olympique Lyonnais, managed to avert disaster for the residents of \u00a0Groupama Stadium\u00a0. Supported by her close team, the American businesswoman has succeeded where \u00a0John Textor\u00a0 struggled for months. On July 9, the financial gendarme of French football confirmed OL’s continuation in \u00a0Ligue 1\u00a0, providing immense relief to club supporters and employees alike. This encouraging news was promptly followed by a formal press release from the club. <\/p>\n
<div class=\"adWrapper adWrapper--m\">\n <span>The continuation after this advertisement<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>A few hours later, at 7 p.m., Michele Kang held a press conference along with \u00a0Michael Gerlinger\u00a0 (DG) to shed more light on the situation. Kang expressed her relief, stating, *\u201cI am delighted to share with you the best news for the whole OL community. This was made possible thanks to the hard work of our team, our lenders, and shareholders. We worked tirelessly over the last nine days and I\u2019m proud of what we've accomplished.\u201d* She demonstrated genuine appreciation for the club's loyal supporters, who endured considerable stress during this precarious phase. *\u201cThe work begins now,\u201d* she concluded. <\/p>\n\n<h2>Kang Got Hold of the Wallet<\/h2>\n\n<p>The president delved further into the specifics of the last few days at OL, revealing the behind-the-scenes efforts undertaken. She stated, *\u201cWe received the letter from the DNCG last Monday detailing the weaknesses we needed to address. The DNCG demands that clubs have sufficient cash on hand for the entire season, and we had to meet that requirement.\u201d* Some media estimates suggested it involved around \u20ac100 million in available cash, alongside guarantees. While Kang acknowledged she did need to dig deep financially, she maintained discretion regarding exact figures due to the club's status as a \u00a0publicly traded company\u00a0. She emphasized, *\u201cWhen I got the letter, I was not fully aware of all the details; I had to learn quickly about the accounts...\u201d* <\/p>\n\n<div class=\"adWrapper adWrapper--m\">\n <span>The continuation after this advertisement<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Continuing her reflection, Kang explained, *\u201cThe first call I made after taking this role was to our lenders. The second was with our board of directors. We spent three hours reviewing club accounting to ensure we were aligned with DNCG\u2019s requirements. I can\u2019t thank them enough for dedicating time to help me understand their rules thoroughly.\u201d* On the matter of financial sums that OL had to assure before the DNCG, she suggested that *\u201ca lot of figures are circulating,\u201d* but they were inaccurate. <\/p>\n\n<h2>She Dodged the Textor Subject<\/h2>\n\n<p>Michele Kang worked closely with \u00a0Thierry Sauvage\u00a0, an advisor who supported the OL team in preparing their DNCG presentation. *\u201cHis input was invaluable and he will continue to work with us,\u201d* she mentioned. As for \u00a0Jean-Michel Aulas\u00a0, the former president of OL, Kang noted that while he supported them, there was a conflict of interest that prevented him from intervening. *\u201cHe did what he could to support us despite the limitations,\u201d* she remarked. Kang found herself repeatedly deflecting inquiries about John Textor, indicating that her focus had been elsewhere. *\u201cI was mainly engaged in women\u2019s football, and I wasn\u2019t closely following what was happening at OL,\u201d* she explained. <\/p>\n\n<div class=\"adWrapper adWrapper--m\">\n <span>The continuation after this advertisement<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>As the conference progressed, Kang took a firm stance regarding governance, making it clear that there would be no changes in leadership. *\u201cI have 100% control over both organizations; no one else can alter our day-to-day decisions. Our goal is to elevate the club to the next level, and that starts with success on the field,\u201d* she asserted. The key question now remains: which players will stay with the club, as potential departures loom on the horizon? <\/p><\/code><\/pre>\n<\/div>\nThis transition period for Olympique Lyonnais under Michele Kang presents both challenges and opportunities. With the team now stabilized in \u00a0Ligue 1\u00a0, fans can remain hopeful about the future and the potential for renewed success. The upcoming season promises to be pivotal as Kang\u2019s leadership takes shape, centering on financial discipline and sporting excellence. It\u2019s a new chapter in the storied history of OL, one that could redefine their trajectory in French football.<\/p>\n