Vicens' debut at Lyon opens door for 17‑year‑old Walid Nechab

A change of coach at Olympique Lyonnais could also benefit the club’s youth academy.

Seventeen‑year‑old Algerian prospect Walid Nechab is taking a new step towards the first team.

It marks the start of the Carlos Vicens era at Olympique Lyonnais.

Vicens was officially appointed on Monday.

He led his first training session on Tuesday morning with a reduced squad due to international call‑ups.

Among the players present was academy midfielder Walid Nechab.

Nechab, born in 2009, is an Algerian U17 international with six caps.

Pep Guardiola backs Carlos Vicens as Lyon's new manager at Olympique Lyonnais

He has already trained with the professional group.

Reserve team breakthrough

Paulo Fonseca called him on 28 October for his first session with the pros.

The invitation was a reward for a 17‑year‑old progressing at Lyon’s academy.

Nechab has become a starter for the reserve side in National 2.

Against Mâcon 71, a 4‑1 win, he played almost the whole match and scored his first goal of the season.

Before that game he had two National 2 appearances and one National U19 match, bringing his season total to at least four.

Vicens will manage his first senior match at Lille on 21 November.

The occasion offers him an ideal chance to discover the club’s young talents.

Nechab must seize the opportunity, as he could knock on the first‑team door in the coming months.