Liverpool flop who was once hailed as 'the next Zidane' set for top job in Ligue 1

Former Liverpool midfielder Bruno Cheyrou is set to become the sporting director of Ligue 1 giants Lyon, according to a new report.

Cheyrou made 31 league appearances in two seasons for Liverpool between 2002 and 2004, after his form at Lille - where scored 15 goals in all competitions in his final season - prompted the Reds to spend £4.5 million to sign him.

The Liverpool boss at the time, Gerard Houllier, described the France international as 'our very own Zinedine Zidane', although things would not work out for the midfielder at Anfield.

He was loaned out to Marseille in 2004 upon the arrival of Rafael Benitez as Reds boss, and would not play for the club again. After another loan spell at fellow Ligue 1 side Bordeaux, the midfielder joined Rennes on a permanent deal in 2006.

Since retiring after spells at Nantes and Cypriot club Anorthosis, Cheyrou has stepped upstairs and built up a reputation at Lyon. And, according to reports from France, he is set to land a major new role.

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Cheyrou set for key role

RMC Sport claim that Cheyrou is set to become Lyon's new sporting director, a role held by club legend Juninho Pernambucano until he resigned in 2021.

The French giants, who won seven Ligue 1 titles in a row between 2002 and 2008, have not recruited a replacement until now, with Cheyrou set to be promoted from his previous role as head of recruitment.

He was appointed to that position in 2020, with a press release by the club revealing that he previously suggested that they sign Netherlands forward Memphis Depay.

Depay joined Lyon in 2015, and went on to score 76 goals in 178 appearances before joining Barcelona last year.

Cheyrou has also helped to sign current West Ham star Lucas Paqueta, as well as the returns of former Lyon stars Alexandre Lacazette and Corentin Tolisso last summer.