Lyon Head of Scouting Florian Maurice has agreed to join Rennes as Sporting Director – L’Équipe

L’Équipe report that Lyon Head of Scouting Florian Maurice has decided to join Rennes, in a move that will send shockwaves through European football. As a result, Lyon have begun their search for a replacement.

Contacted in mid-February, with the green light Rennes’ then incoming Director General Nicolas Holveck, SRFC initially thought that their chances of landing Maurice were a long shot, largely because of his well-known attachment to OL.

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But the sands have shifted – despite having a rolling contract (with no end date) with Lyon, the former attacker has made his mind up. Although Maurice is yet to officially make moves to terminate his contract with OL, currently blocked by the ongoing health crisis somewhat from doing so, in his mind he is at Rennes and he has already informed the Lyon board of this.

OL are seeking to lean on Gérard Houllier, special adviser to Lyon President Aulas, to lead the search for a replacement. Maurice will be taking the role of Sporting Director at Rennes, one which he was passed up for at Lyon in favour of the currently installed Juninho.

In truth, the Brazilian’s return to Lyon last summer marked the beginning of the end of Maurice’s freedom to manoeuvre from transfer window to transfer window and with his power in check, his recommendations contradicted, he chose to move on. Lyon President Aulas at the end of last summer convinced him against joining Tottenham by giving him a considerable wage rise.

Although the human relationship between Maurice and Juninho was never ugly, professionally-speaking they just couldn’t find a way to work together.

OL’s job will be tough: Maurice is arguably the best Head of Scouting in European football, and he is expected to take a key cog in OL’s recruitment staff with Rennes to him, Jérôme Bonnissel.