Perrin out, Puel in at Lyon

After a season which saw Olympique Lyonnais win their unprecedented seventh straight title, Alain Perrin has decided to step down as the team's coach in favor of moving the team in a 'different direction'.

Replacing him at the helm at Lyon will be former AS Monaco and Lille manager Claude Puel.

Puel was among a list of two other top managers that Lyon was looking at. The other two were Didier Deschamps (who many have linked with possibly taking over the French national team) and current Bordeaux manager Laurent Blanc.

Lyon gave Puel many options, like picking an entirely new coaching staff, if he liked. Instead, Puel decided to work with the current staff. One member that he did bring over from Lille is Patrick Collot.

The pressure will now be on Puel, who will have to fill in at one of the most important jobs in French football.

Wiltord calls Lyon chairman 'ridiculous'

RENNES, France (AFP) - Sylvain Wiltord has launched a bitter attack on his former Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas following the two month saga over his transfer to Rennes.

"From time to time Mr Aulas went too far," Wiltord told Friday's L'Equipe newspaper.

"He didn't have to feel the need to speak out every time he saw a microphone. He'd have been better off speaking to me to sort out any problems, he's been ridiculous," the France international added.

Wiltord was particularly annoyed by an incident back in April when he felt he was unfairly singled out by Aulas for partying with other teammates before a French League game with Rennes.

Wiltord also took exception to the way Aulas handled his protracted move to Rennes.

"People aren't stupid. With him (Aulas) one time it's pink, one time black, one time it's blue one time it's green. He should keep quiet, and not only with me."Wiltord added: "Mr Aulas said once that the only player he'd ben prepared to offer a lifetime contract to was Eric Abidal.

But when Eric left for Barcelona, not just any club, he said that he'd made too many defensive errors. I leave you to act as judge on that.

"The 33-year-old striker, who has won 92 caps for France and made 125 appearances for Rennes from 1991-97, will earn 150,000 euros a month back at his old club, a significant salary cut from his days at Lyon.

Rennes sign Wiltord, Anderson to Lyon

With some of the top teams in Ligue 1 faltering this year, Rennes FC might see this as their chance to strike.

Rennes as accuired French international striker Sylvain Wiltord fron struggling Lyon for a 1.5 million Euro transfer fee.

Wiltord, who has 92 caps for Les Bleus, will be a valuable asset to Rennes.

In addition to letting Wiltord go, Lyon has signed Brazilian defender Anderson for a 4 million Euro transfer fee.

Finally, Valenciennes seems to be making the best of their opportunities on this pitch this year. After being promoted, Valenciennes looks poised to finish midtable. But maybe they have higher goals. This week, Valenciennes loaned Slovak international Filip Šebo from Glasgow Rangers.