Carlos Vicens, Guardiola's former assistant at City, targeted by Lyon to succeed Fonseca

Olympique Lyonnais has reportedly completed the appointment of Carlos Vicens as successor to Paulo Fonseca, according to reports published Thursday. The 43-year-old Spaniard, recently dismissed by Braga, will take the reins of a club that had just played its first match without Fonseca, a 1-1 draw away to Real Sociedad in the Ligue Europa.

Vicens is a well-known figure in top-level football: he served as assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City before taking charge of Portuguese club Braga. His spell in the Primeira Liga ended abruptly, a run of three consecutive defeats hastening his departure just two weeks ago.

His previous season at Braga had nonetheless been solid: fourth in the Portuguese championship, finalist in the League Cup and semi-finalist in the Ligue Europa, the manager had demonstrated his ability to manage a squad across multiple fronts simultaneously — a profile that matches Lyon’s European ambitions.

On the interim front, Jorge Maciel, who had overseen the transition during Fonseca’s lengthy suspension last season before doing so again in recent days, should return to his assistant role once Vicens is officially in post. “I know my role at the club. I am confident, I know I can help in this particular moment. We are all united so that the transition is as smooth as possible,” he said at a press conference Wednesday.