Fonseca claims to be Lyon's best manager and is immediately contradicted

Eliminated by Fenerbahçe in the UEFA Champions League play-offs (1-1 away, 1-2 at home), Paulo Fonseca chose media counter-attack rather than contrition. Facing journalists, the Portuguese manager made a statement that did not go unnoticed.

« Forgive my arrogance, but the figures speak for themselves: I am the best manager in Lyon’s recent history, with average investments. The figures are hard to contest. » Fonseca made this assessment by comparing his six months to those of his predecessor Pierre Sage.

Journalist Dave Appadoo responded point by point on L’Équipe’s channel. Acknowledging Fonseca’s qualities — « perhaps even the best for this Lyon, in this period » — he nonetheless contested the method: « You’re making an arithmetic assessment that has moreover been contradicted by fact-checking. We saw that Rudi Garcia had a better record than you, with lighter investments. »

But it was on the terrain of decisive moments that Appadoo concentrated his criticism. He recalled the quarter-final elimination in the Ligue Europa against Manchester United in April 2025, described as a « dreadful finish », the « shipwreck » against Celta Vigo the previous season, and the failed end of season in Ligue 1 when Lyon held its direct qualification for the Ligue des Champions. « You systematically miss these moments with Lyon since your arrival, » he summed up.

The journalist concluded with an invitation: « I would like you to give us a meeting this year to prove us wrong. And I will be delighted to be silent. » A way of leaving the door open to Fonseca, while underlining that actions must precede statements.