Fabio Grosso challenged Lyon's players before he was sacked this week.
The former Frosinone coach was dumped after a poor season so far.
L'Equipe says after last week's defeat at Lille, Grosso turned on his players the following day at training.
If you think I'm the problem, go and tell Textor (Lyon's owner, John Textor) to kick me out, but first you have to have the b***s to say it to my face.," Grosso barked, reports L'Equipe.
"I only ask you to tell me first."
