Fonseca leaves Lyon mid-season to join Sporting Portugal

Paulo Fonseca ended his time at Lyon on Monday morning by personally informing his players of his departure from Olympique Lyonnais mid-season. His assistant Jorge Maciel took charge of training immediately after.

The news comes the day after Lyon’s 2-0 victory over Angers, following which Fonseca had insisted he would be present with his squad the next day. The Portuguese manager, former LOSC coach, has reportedly already reached an agreement with Sporting Portugal, the Lisbon club qualified for the Ligue des Champions.

The move promises to be financially advantageous for Lyon. Sporting will pay a transfer fee estimated at over €3 million, plus approximately 8 months of salary savings — Fonseca was earning around €400,000 gross per month. In total, it represents a financial boost of over €6 million for the Rhône club, which must soon face the DNCG.

Lyon has reportedly already targeted his successor. Spaniard Carlos Vicens (43), former assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and recently available after his spell at Braga, is presented as the strong favourite to take over. The names of Thiago Motta and Pierre Sage are also circulating within the club.