Zimpapers Logo

Blessing Malinganiza

ZIMBABWE international, Tino Kadewere will have a new coach after his French Ligue 1 side, Olympique Lyon fired coach Laurent Blanc on Monday due to their poor start to the domestic league.

Jean-François Vulliez has been appointed caretaker, working alongside former Lyon players Jérémie Bréchet and Sonny Anderson.

Kadewere returned to the club after miserable loan spell at Mallorca in Spain and has made two appearances for his team so far this season — starting in the 1-4 defeat to PSG and rising from the bench in their goalless draw against Nice.

He has been working on improving his game and decided against travelling during the current international break to continue with personal training.

Lyon are bottom of the Ligue 1 standings after four rounds of matches — managing one draw and suffering three defeats.

“Olympique Lyonnais and Laurent Blanc have mutually agreed to end their collaboration with effect from today.

“We would like to thank Laurent Blanc and his staff for their commitment and professionalism over the past 11 months at the helm of the team,” said the club in a press statement. Kadewere who was tipped to make a move out of the club decided to stay fighting for his position despite an exodus of players.

The club sold more than €80m worth of players this summer and saw a number of others leave for free, with Houssem Aouar joining Roma and the forwards Moussa Dembélé and Karl Toko-Ekambi heading to Saudi Arabia.

Kadewere revealed to Zimpapers Sports his determination to work for his place.

“I’m trying to work hard and put in a lot of work so that I can get some game time.

“I want to improve myself and make sure that I prove my worth to the team,” he said.