Puel appointed Lyon manager

Claude Puel has been appointed manager of Olympique Lyon, the seven-times French champions said yesterday. Puel, who joins from Ligue 1 rivals Lille, signed a four-year contract.

He replaces Alain Perrin, who led Lyon to their first league and Cup double last season but is leaving after just one season in charge.

The 46-year-old Puel is a former midfielder who played nearly 500 league matches in over 15 years at Monaco. He then coached Monaco before moving on to Lille in 2002.

Lille said in a statement they had hired Rudi Garcia, formerly with Le Mans, as Puel's replacement.

Lyon suggested earlier this month that Perrin's days in charge were numbered by saying a new structure was needed and a manager with a wider mission and a long-term contract would be appointed.

Puel's priority will be to help Lyon make an impact in Europe. They have won the last seven Ligue 1 titles but have never advanced past the quarter-finals of the Champions League.