Carlos Vicens, former Guardiola assistant at City, appointed Lyon head coach

Olympique Lyonnais officially announced on Monday evening the appointment of Carlos Vicens as their new head coach, eight days after Paulo Fonseca’s last match on the Lyon bench, against Angers in Ligue 1. The 43-year-old Spaniard has signed an eighteen-month contract.

The Lyon club justified this choice by citing « a profile whose approach to the game, demands and importance given to player development fully align with the club’s strategic direction ». Former assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Vicens was still at Braga two weeks ago, before being sacked following three consecutive defeats. The previous season, he had nonetheless led the Portuguese club to fourth place in the championship, to the League Cup final and to the quarter-finals of the Ligue Europa.

Vicens arrives at Lyon accompanied by his assistant Mario Enguidanos and Lander Iza Garcia. Jordi Lie Fernandez and Willy Alonso, who also worked with him at Braga, are expected to complete the coaching staff. Interim coach Jorge Maciel retains his position as assistant coach « in a desire for continuity and with the full confidence of the board », the club’s official statement specifies.

Adrien Tarascon will continue his role as head of individual player development, while Sébastien Hamel, goalkeeper coach for Pro D2 since January 2025, officially joins the staff.