World (AP)

Lyon women’s team hires Joe Montemurro as head coach

Lyon women’s team hires Joe Montemurro as head coach

LYON, France (AP) — Eight-time women’s European champion Lyon has hired Joe Montemurro as head coach for the next two seasons, the team said on Wednesday.

The former Juventus and Arsenal coach replaces Sonia Bompastor, who has left for Chelsea.

Montemurro, who is Australian, won five trophies with Juventus over the past three years. That followed a successful stint at Arsenal, where he claimed the 2018 FA Women’s League Cup and the Women’s Super League in 2019.

“I’m extremely honored to be part of such an exceptional organization as Olympique Lyonnais, the world leader in women’s soccer,” Montemurro said. “When I think of Lyon, I think of high-level professionalism and excellence. Playing against this team has always represented the pinnacle of soccer for me. It has always brought me joy and inspiration.”

Bompastor won seven trophies in her three years in charge of Lyon. She begins her new role at Chelsea on July 1.

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