<p><strong>While talking to media, Olympique </strong><strong>Lyonnais</strong><strong> coach Remi Garde spoke about cases of Cris, Kone, Yoann Gourcuff and Jimmy Briand who have been linked with moves away from Stade de Gerland</strong></p>
<p>Remi Garde was named the new coach of Olympique Lyonnais last summer following the sacking of Claude Puel. Since his arrival, Garde has quickly won over the support of Lyon faithful who see the Frenchman as one of their own.</p>
<p>While talking to the media, Remi Garde spoke about events leading to his appointment. The Frenchman revealed that club president, Jean-Michel Aulas had offered him the coaching job.</p>
<p>When Gerard Houllier departed as the coach of Les Gones in 2007, Garde was touted as a possible replacement. However, the Frenchman had to wait until Aulas put an end to Claude Puel’s infamous three-year stint at the Lyon dugout.</p>
<p>While talking to Planet Lyon, Garde spoke about those players in the squad who have been confined to a mere peripheral role so far this season.</p>
<p>“This is not at all difficult for me to put Cris on the bench. Absolutely not. He has been (on the bench) and probably will be in many circumstances. But the viewer only sees the final result of a training week or a season.”</p>
<p>Since his arrival, Bakary Kone has been impressive. However, in recent months, the Burkinabe international has been relegated to the bench. And Puel is not at all worried about it because he feels that the young defender has a lot of room for improvement.</p>
<p>However, Garde also emphasized that he sees Dejan Lovren and Bakary Kone as the future defensive pairing for the Rhone giants.</p>
<p>“Nothing to worry about because Kone is the future. Kone-Lovren is the future of OL.”</p>
<p>Certainly Remi Garde has proven himself to be a man who will not hesitate in making big decisions regardless of all the egos and past achievements he has to ignore just for the greater good of the team.</p>
<p>Garde has certainly taken a liking to his post at the club and if things turn out the way they have so far, the 45-year-old could be in line for a contract extension that many feel he should have got months ago. </p>
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