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PARIS, June 18 (Reuters) - Claude Puel has been appointed manager of Olympique Lyon, the seven-times French champions said on Wednesday.
Puel, who joins from Ligue 1 rivals Lille, signed a four-year contract, Lyon said in a statement.
He replaces Alain Perrin, who led Lyon to their first domestic league and Cup double last season but is leaving after just one season in charge.
The 46-year-old Puel is a former midfielder who played nearly 500 league matches in over 15 years at Monaco. He then coached Monaco for a couple of seasons before moving on to Lille in 2002.
Lille said in a statement they had hired Rudi Garcia, formerly with Le Mans, as Puel's replacement.
Lyon suggested earlier this month that Perrin's days in charge were numbered by saying a new structure was needed and a manager with a wider mission and a long-term contract would be appointed.
Puel's priority will be to help Lyon make an impact in Europe. They have won the last seven Ligue 1 titles but have never advanced past the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
