Michele Kang Takes Over As Lyon President After John Textor Resigns

‎On Monday, June 30, American businesswoman Michele Kang assumed the role of president at Lyon, a club that has won the French championship seven times.

‎She took over after John Textor resigned due to the club’s relegation caused by financial irregularities. Born in South Korea, Kang is also the majority owner of Lyon’s women’s team, OL Lyonnes, and has served on Lyon’s board of directors since 2023.

‎Kang, who owns Lyon’s women’s football team OL Lyonnes, will also be the CEO of Eagle Football Group, replacing US businessman John Textor.

‎Lyon has been relegated to Ligue 2 following an audit of its finances, which the club said it would appeal.

‎“I’m grateful to everyone at OL for their dedication during this exceptionally challenging time. Michele is the perfect choice to lead OL in the next phase and I have full confidence in Michele and OL will come out stronger under her leadzership,” said Textor in a press release.

‎”We are entering a critical moment for OL,” Kang said in a statement.

‎Eagle Football Group also said it had named the group’s chief sports officer, Michael Gerlinger, as the director general of Olympique Lyonnais.

‎Olympique Lyonnais announced that Textor has also stepped down from the club’s board of directors. He became Lyon’s president three years ago, succeeding the long-serving Jean-Michel Aulas, who sold his stake to Textor’s Eagle Football Holdings.

‎Lyon said in a statement that Kang will play an “active role” in leading the club’s appeal against the relegation handed down last Tuesday by the French league’s watchdog, known as DNCG.

‎The case is anticipated to be heard within the next week. The ruling could also determine whether Crystal Palace will be permitted to participate in next season’s Europa League, which Lyon also qualified for.

‎Textor previously held a 43% stake in Palace, which he has agreed to sell to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson.

‎UEFA’s regulations prohibit clubs with the same owner from competing in the same tournament.