International breaks: Sylvinho pays the price at Lyon, Giampolo axed at AC Milan

October 7 – Brazilian coach Sylvinho has been dismissed by his club Olympique Lyon after Sunday’s derby defeat against local rivals AS Saint-Etienne and just one win in nine. At AC Milan, Marco Giampolo is also on the way out. 

The international break can bring relief to struggling clubs and coaches, but there was little comfort for Sylvinho (pictured) who had been appointed in May on the back of his role as an assistant to Brazil coach Tite. In his first job as head coach he got Lyon off to good start in Ligue 1 with comprehensive wins against AS Monaco and Angers, but since those two victories his team have failed to register another win in the French league.

A surprise 2-0 Champions League win against RB Leipzig last Wednesday was not enough to keep the Brazilian in the saddle as Lyon slumped to a 1-0 defeat away to Saint-Etienne. Sylvinho had been criticised for the brand of unattractive football that his team, including Memphis Depay, Houssem Aouar, Moussa Dembele and Jeff Reine-Adelaide, had delivered. Fellow Brazilian and club legend Juninho Pernambucano has also come under pressure in his role as sporting director.

“We have rarely been in that situation. Juninho will have to think,” said club president Jean-Michel Aulas. “We are not where we wanted to be, that’s for sure.”

Lyon sit just above the relegation zone in 14th position in the Ligue 1 table. They host Dijon on October 19 before traveling to Lisbon for a Champions League encounter with Portuguese giants Benfica.

AC Milan lose patience

In Italy, Ac Milan have also endured a difficult start to the new season. The Milan club rank 13th in the Serie A table, having lost four of their opening seven fixtures, including a 2-0 defeat by rivals Inter.

That defeat may well have been the catalyst for Milan’s hierarchy to push coach Giampolo to the exit door. In conversation with Paolo Maldini and Zvonimir Boban ex-president Silvio Berlusconi intervened to suggest Giampaolo be dismissed, according to various media reports.

Stefano Pioli is the front runner to succeed Giampolo as seemingly favoured option to take over, Luciano Spaletti, is struggling to reach an agreement with Inter over severance pay following his sacking back in May.

Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1711713602labto1711713602ofdlr1711713602owedi1711713602sni@o1711713602fni1711713602