Paul Le Guen has resigned as coach of four-time French league champions Lyon.
“I’ve decided not to extend my contract,” said Le Guen. “I leave proud of my achievements.
“I was offered the chance to stay for three more years but I decided not to carry on here. I leave happy and thanking everyone in the club.”
Le Guen, 44, guided Lyon to three straight titles after taking over from Jacques Santini, who left to coach the French national team, in 2002.
Media reports have linked him with his former club Paris St Germain, although it has been suggested that he may take a break from the game altogether.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do next,” said Le Guen. “The only thing I’m certain is that I’m not tired of soccer.”
After spells with Brest and Nantes, he joined Paris St Germain in 1991. During his seven years at the club, Le Guen won the French title in 1994, the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1996, lifted the French Cup three times and won 17 caps for France.
After hanging up his boots, Le Guen coached Stade Rennes between 1998 and 2001, before joining Lyon in 2002.
Lyon secured this year’s title with a 2-1 win over Ajaccio on Sunday.
A number of candidates have been already been suggested as Le Guen’s replacement with former Nantes and Real Sociedad coach Raynald Denoueix, Lille’s Claude Puel, and Rennes coach Lazlo Boloni among the frontrunners.
