Lyon coach Fonseca set for Sporting move
Paulo Fonseca's spell at Lyon came during a turbulent financial period, with the club escaping relegation on appeal but facing cost cuts and player sales.
Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca is set to join Sporting after informing his Lyon players of his departure, according to a source close to the French club. The 53-year-old, who has been under contract with Lyon until the end of the current season, replaced Pierre Sage in January 2025. Despite Lyon's fourth-place finish last term, they were eliminated from the Champions League play-offs in a disappointing campaign.
The club's financial troubles led to their provisional relegation to Ligue 2 in June 2025, followed by the overturning of the decision on appeal, contingent on strict cost-cutting measures and player sales. Despite the banishment, Lyon retained Fonseca, who had previously received a nine-month domestic ban for an altercation with a referee.
The club is expected to appoint a permanent successor during the upcoming international break, with Carlos Vicens among the leading candidates. In the interim, assistant coach Jorge Maciel will handle the team during Lyon's next two matches - a Europa League fixture against Real Sociedad on Thursday and a Ligue 1 match against Brest on Sunday.
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- Lyon coach Fonseca set for Sporting move freemalaysiatoday.com
