OL Lyonnes' European ambitions hinge on winning the Champions League again quickly, a lofty goal that requires significant investment and a robust strategy.
The club's new ownership group, led by Michele Kang, has pledged to provide substantial resources to support the team's development. A state-of-the-art training center and a purpose-built stadium are in the pipeline, with construction set to begin soon.
Vincent Ponsot, sporting director at OL Lyonnes, believes that giving the players similar means as the men's team will yield comparable results. "We want to demonstrate that if we give the players the same means as the men, we can achieve the same thing," he said.
However, the club faces a significant challenge in convincing fans to attend matches at the Groupama Stadium, which averaged just 5,528 spectators after eight match days and five home fixtures. Ponsot acknowledges that Arsenal's model of attracting both men's and women's team supporters is key to increasing attendance.
The OL Lyonnes' management has also commissioned surveys to better understand their fanbase, revealing a desire for values such as respect, sportsmanship, and accessibility. The club is now using creative measures like giant foosball tables and DJ sets to attract new fans.
Despite the progress made in women's football in France, there remains a significant gap between the rapid development plan of OL Lyonnes and the broader reality of women's football in the country. Ponsot admits that while improvements have been made in league structure and training centers, more work needs to be done on promotion and commercialization.
OL Lyonnes' ultimate goal is to inject new momentum into an under-resourced Premiรจre Ligue, improving competitiveness at home and in the Champions League. By winning the Champions League again quickly, they hope to raise the bar for French women's football and create a more sustainable model for the future.
The club's new ownership group, led by Michele Kang, has pledged to provide substantial resources to support the team's development. A state-of-the-art training center and a purpose-built stadium are in the pipeline, with construction set to begin soon.
Vincent Ponsot, sporting director at OL Lyonnes, believes that giving the players similar means as the men's team will yield comparable results. "We want to demonstrate that if we give the players the same means as the men, we can achieve the same thing," he said.
However, the club faces a significant challenge in convincing fans to attend matches at the Groupama Stadium, which averaged just 5,528 spectators after eight match days and five home fixtures. Ponsot acknowledges that Arsenal's model of attracting both men's and women's team supporters is key to increasing attendance.
The OL Lyonnes' management has also commissioned surveys to better understand their fanbase, revealing a desire for values such as respect, sportsmanship, and accessibility. The club is now using creative measures like giant foosball tables and DJ sets to attract new fans.
Despite the progress made in women's football in France, there remains a significant gap between the rapid development plan of OL Lyonnes and the broader reality of women's football in the country. Ponsot admits that while improvements have been made in league structure and training centers, more work needs to be done on promotion and commercialization.
OL Lyonnes' ultimate goal is to inject new momentum into an under-resourced Premiรจre Ligue, improving competitiveness at home and in the Champions League. By winning the Champions League again quickly, they hope to raise the bar for French women's football and create a more sustainable model for the future.