Former Spurs director lead contender for Lyon sporting director role

Ex-Spurs chief Steve Hitchen emerges as a leading contender to be made sporting director at Lyon… with current incumbent Bruno Cheyrou in the firing line after a string of ‘underwhelming signings’ at the 10th-placed Ligue 1 club

  • The former Tottenham man left the club  after feeling sidelined by Fabio Paratici
  • Lyon’s co-owner John Textor has ambitious plans for the Ligue 1 club
  • Former Liverpool midfielder Bruno Cheyrou has been under pressure of late 

Tottenham’s former director of technical performance Steve Hitchen has emerged as a contender for the sporting director role at Lyon.

The French club, owned by Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor, are looking to make changes with sporting director Bruno Cheyrou, the former Liverpool midfielder, under pressure following a series of what supporters consider ‘underwhelming signings’.

Lyon are tenth in Ligue 1, 15 points behind leaders Paris St Germain, and Textor is ambitious to make them more competitive.

Hitchen is highly regarded in the game after helping recruit the likes of Luka Modric for Spurs and Luis Suarez during his time at Liverpool. He has also previously worked as head of European scouting with QPR and struck up a strong rapport with Mauricio Pochettino during his tenure at Tottenham.

After resigning from his technical director role at Tottenham a year ago, the 46-year old has been in demand, being courted by a number of Premier League clubs, notably Newcastle United, Everton and Southampton as well as Celtic and clubs abroad. 

Steve Hitchen (far right) could be called upon to transform Lyon’s Ligue 1 fortunes

The club currently sits 10th in Ligue 1 and some recent signings have failed to impress

Bruno Cheyrou (left) has been under pressure from supporters for some time

However, Hitchen has so far held off from a return and is understood to be waiting for the right project.

Textor, aware of Hitchen’s reputation from his time in England, is evaluating options as he looks to restore Lyon to the forefront of French and European football.

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