Lyon coach Genesio signs new deal

Lyon (AFP) – Bruno Genesio has been rewarded for an excellent second half to last season with a new three-year deal as coach of Lyon, the French club said on Friday.

“We are satisfied with the relationship we have with him and with the results obtained,” Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas told a press conference, saying they were also chasing the signature of tricky winger Hatem Ben Arfa.

The 49-year-old Genesio, a former Lyon player, is now tied to the club until June 2019.

Genesio was promoted from his role as assistant coach last December when Hubert Fournier was sacked with Lyon languishing in mid-table.

He turned around the team’s fortunes and led them to a second-place finish and automatic qualification for next season’s Champions League group stage.

“This is a gesture of recognition from the club and it rewards the work done by the staff and the players,” said Genesio.

“I did my job as well as possible and got results, but there is a new season that is now going to come around.”

Aulas admitted that Ben Arfa, who is out of contract at Nice, is “a priority” for the Ligue 1 runners-up.

“I don’t know if we will manage to sign him but Hatem’s agents were in Lyon today,” added Aulas, who said a decision would be taken “at the end of next week.”

After an outstanding season which has seen him relaunch his stalled career, Ben Arfa has also been linked to Barcelona.

Lyon also announced the appointment of the Italian Antonio Pintus, whose CV includes a stint on the staff at Juventus, as a physical trainer.