Lyon confirms Fonseca’s departure for Sporting Lisbon
The Portuguese coach, Paulo Fonseca, leaves Lyon mid-season after Sporting Lisbon paid a €5 million compensation fee, with the French club expressing 'deep regret' over his decision.
French club Lyon announced on Wednesday that Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca is departing to Sporting Lisbon. The move comes with a compensation fee of €5 million (US$5.6 million) paid to Lyon. Fonseca, 53, joined Lyon in January 2025, replacing Pierre Sage and was under contract until the end of the current season.
Paulo visited Lyon's director, Matthieu Louis-Jean, prior to his announcement and disclosed that he accepted an offer from Sporting Lisbon, which he described as a decision made from the heart, as it is his boyhood club. Lyon's sporting director expressed surprise at Fonseca's decision, stating that it was difficult for Lyon to retain him against his will.
The former coach of Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Lille, and AC Milan led Lyon to a fourth-place finish last season but missed out on the Champions League play-offs after losing in the play-offs. Lyon's financial situation was turbulent during Fonseca's tenure, with the club facing potential relegation to Ligue 2 in June 2025 before the decision was overturned. The club also agreed to a strict cost-cutting program and player sales to stay in Ligue 1.
Lyon expressed deep regret over Fonseca's unexpected mid-season departure, given their third-place position in Ligue 1. The club plans to appoint a permanent replacement during the upcoming international break, with Carlos Vicens among the leading candidates. Assistant Jorge Maciel will temporarily manage Lyon in Fonseca's absence for their next two matches: the Europa League game against Real Sociedad on Thursday and the Ligue 1 match against Brest on Sunday.
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