Lyon dismisses Fonseca and appoints Maciel as interim manager
Olympique Lyon confirmed this Monday that Paulo Fonseca is leaving the club to take charge of Sporting Portugal, after a €5 million clause, and that assistant Jorge Maciel will assume the role at least until the international break.
The French club announced this morning the expected coaching change. Paulo Fonseca is moving to Portuguese Sporting CP for €5 million. Fonseca requested his departure from a club he greatly appreciates. Lyon accepted his exit, obtaining a financial benefit as well as saving his high salary, according to the statement.
Communication and new manager
Half an hour earlier, the club announced that Jorge Maciel, together with goalkeeper Dominik Greif, will speak to the press at 19:30, when Fonseca's situation was still unknown. Maciel will manage the team this Thursday at the Anoeta stadium in the Europa League. Sporting Portugal paid five million euros for the coach.
Fonseca, 53, leaves Olympique Lyon with immediate effect. With Lyon, Fonseca was enjoying a good season.
Sporting pays 5 million euros for Fonseca, Maciel at the helm of Lyon
Lyon currently sits in third place in Ligue 1. The club has won two of the three matches played in the Europa League. The good results caught Sporting's attention, which was looking for a new coach.
Reaction and future
Earlier this month, Sporting dismissed Rui Borges. Sporting got in touch with the Portuguese coach of Lyon. Lyon deeply regrets the departure, describing it as unexpected and at a critical point in the season. The club stated that, given Fonseca's clear intention, it was not advisable to maintain the collaboration.
Lyon, where Ruben Kluivert is also under contract, is already looking for a suitable replacement. Until the international break, assistant Jorge Maciel will assume the technical responsibilities.
Lyon accepts Fonseca's departure, €5 million compensation on the table
At Sporting, Fonseca, who previously served a nine‑month suspension at Lyon, will face the challenge of closing the nine‑point gap with leaders FC Porto. Sporting beat Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday and have accumulated nine points from four matches in the Champions League.