Mourinho has been out of work since he was fired as Manchester United manager just before Christmas after a nightmare third season at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese boss’ much-debated third-season curse struck again, just as it did at his previous jobs Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Real were touted as a possible destination for Mourinho in recent weeks, as their season jolted from bad to worse.
But Zinedine Zidane returning to the Bernabeu last night closed the door on that option for the 56-year-old.
And now Lyon chief Aulas has hit Mourinho with a timely dig by joking about his taking over at the French club.
“If he accepts the economic conditions at Lyon today, it can also be an alternative solution,” the 69-year-old said whilst smiling.
Aulas is happy with the current Lyon boss Bruno Genesio, despite speculation about who will be in charge next season.
On French TV station France 3 – the second largest public television channel in the country – Aulas backed his man.
“We communicate well on this,” he said. “We will communicate a decision at the end of March, but we are doing today as if he will be there because we have made recruitment meetings [for next season].
“He has all the qualities to stay. Lyon is a stable club and [Genesio] has qualities recognised by the club and the leaders. Personally, I think it would be a good solution.”