Olympique Lyonnais. Serge Bex’s moving farewell party

Photos Alexandre Moulard for Lyon People

Text: Franck Girardet with MP – A somewhat special meeting this Monday, September 30, 2024 at Groupama Stadium. It was not a match evening but a final clap for Serge Bex, commercial director of Sport fiveOL’s partner sales agency.

The last of the historics invited family, collaborators and friends for a farewell in the image of the man: friendly, warm and touching. After a speech by Xavier Oddone (director general Sportive France) it was the turn of “du Bex” or “de Sergio” to take the microphone, and with his singing voice, deliver a “synthetic and precise” speech.

With humor and humility, Serge turned the pages of his fictional life for us, starting with that of the former footballer “who did not mark the history of French football” certainly but who successfully converted his career. Indeed, in his career with the ball, the young striker from RC Strasbourg then OL (under the era of President Charles Mighirian) did not keep a memorable memory…

Damn Achilles heel

With a loose Achilles heel from his first friendly match at Gerland, a long convalescence then a return on the day of the derby lost 5-1 and some family problems which marked him, it was over. The crampons stored in his dressing room (except for CSEL matches), make way for a second professional life in Montpellier in sports sponsorship and the sale of VIP services on behalf of the company Sport five.

When his boss, the big financier of French football Jean-Claude Darmon (above) summoned him in 1994 to his Paris office to explain to him that he would have to leave his favorite region, Montpellier and its charismatic president Louis Nicollin Coming to Lyon is a recipe for grimaces, but it’s impossible for him to say “no” to his mentor. Return to the capital of Gaul….

Lyon, a welcoming land

He won’t regret it. For 30 years, alongside Jean-Michel Classeshe adapts perfectly to Lyon where he will build strong friendships whether within the institution as evidenced by the presence ofOlivier Blanc, Sonny Anderson, Remy Vercoutre, Florian Mauriceor of course members of its sales team.

OL-Angers, December 4, 2015. Last match at Gerland with parade of OL alumni before the match (Marcello, Sonny Anderson, Pierre Laigle, Christophe Breton, Juninho and Serge Bex) – Photo Arthur Hagopian

The same in a more “business” context with the watchmaker Jean-Louis Maier, Jean-Louis Joly, or Michel Vieira, president of the MDA group. Or finally as part of his epicurean pleasures with his friends from CSEL Jean-Claude Voituret, Christophe Breton et Thierry Braillard. Without forgetting the historic speakers of Gerland: Marc Jean et Dominique Grégoire.

Within Sportfive, the passing of the torch is assured but our Sergio will remain on standby within Olympique Lyonnais with a consultant role. It’s not a goodbye but a see you soon. Selfishly reassuring news because I was going to miss you, and seeing the matches by your side, standing in the President Box, is always a pleasure.

Thank you for everything Serge, thank you for always having this kindness, this joy of living and these values which make you a real good guy.

Monday September 30, 2024
Groupama Stadium

1. Serge Bex (Sportfive) and commissioner Michel Neyret

2. Serge Bex and his Panini player profile in Strasbourg.

4. Pierre Nallet (AnaHome Immobilier).

5. Virginie Adnet (OL Sportfive) and Marco Polisson (Lyon People).

6. Serge Bex (OL Sportfive) and Stéphane Morot-Sir (LDLC ASVEL).

7. Philippe Vorburger (Authentiques Corks Lyonnais), Virginie Adnet (OL SportFive) and Serge Bex

8. Jean-Louis Joly (elected in Queige), Thierry Sauvage and Laurent Prud’homme (OL).

9. Jean Louis Maier (Maier Horloger Joaillier), Michel Neyret, Franck Girardet (Lyon People) and Arthur Maier (Maier Horloger Joaillier).

10. Maître Thierry Braillard (Lawyer), Gilles Blanchin (GB Operational Retail Consulting) and the artist Dominique Grégoire (former OL speaker).

11. Jean-Yves Delorme (Parks and Sports), Frédéric Poty and Axel Mansouri (OL).

12. Marc Jean (Dîner des Authentiques), Michel Neyret and Vincent Galoche (Sofitel Lyon Bellecour).

13. Eddy Lekadir (Sodexo) et Emmanuel Sanemave (SportFive)

14. Yoann Yarvarian (SportFive) and Miguel Farina (OL)

15. Amélie Davignon (SportFive), Nicolas Roost (SportFive) and Corine Coupée (SportFive).

16. Catherine Bex, Florian Chikh Bex, Alexandra Chikh Bex and Félix Greck (Multis)

17. Franck Camandona, Sonny Anderson, Pierre Laigle and Jérôme Rosier

18. Gilbert Giorgi surrounded by Frédéric Poty (L’Appart Fitness), and Jean-Yves Delorme (Parcs et Sports),

19. Pierre Bideau (OL press officer) and Olivier Blanc (former OL Director)

20. The ex-OL team: Luc Billot, Jean-Marie Hebert, Nicolas Jacq, Pascal Le Goff.

21. Isabelle Dias (OL), Michel Viera (MDA), Jean-Paul Révillon and Mathilda Durand (MDA).

22. Pierre Nallet (Anahome) and Gilbert Giorgi.

23. The Bex family and Rémy Vercoutre, OL goalkeeper coach.

24. Serge Bex and Eric Baroin, lawyer, Lamy et Associés law firm

25. Evelyne Burel-Antoine (Declerk Traiteur), Sandra Chiritian (Crumes), Jessica Kopec (OL) and Naïs Devrieux (SportFive).

26. Serge Bex surrounded by Marino Faccioli and Guy Genet

27. Laurent Prudhomme (director OL), Andrée Genton (Porcher Industries), Serge Bex and Sonny Anderson

28. Serge Bex surrounded by Mathieu Renaud (Actu Events) and Stéphane Morot-Sir (LDLC ASVEL).

29. Serge Bex and the florist Franck Hernandez

30. Xavier Oddone (DG SportFive) and Serge Bex

31. Message from Jean-Claude Darmon, President of SportFive, read by Virginie Adnet. (SportFive).

32. The Bex family moved by Serge’s speech

33. Serge Bex in acceptance speech mode

34. Serge Bex receives a jersey autographed by all OL players

35. Serge Bex surrounded by his team: Virginie Adnet and Virgile Vandel (SportFive).

36. Serge Bex and Arthur Maier (Maier Watchmaker Jeweler).

37. Serge Bex and Michel Viera, president MDA

38. Serge Bex surrounded by Mathilda Durand (MDA) and Michel Viera (MDA).

39. Serge Bex surrounded by Pierre-Yves Gas (Plein Gas) and Evelyne Burel (Maison Declerck)

40. Pierre-Yves Gas (Plein Gas) and Franck Girardet (Lyon People) in action.

41. Ibrahim Saley (OL), Thomas Belleteste, Serge Bex (SportFive), Virginie Adnet (SportFive), Philippe Vorburger (Authentiques Corks Lyonnais), Luc Billot.