Lyon drop Pierre Sage, hire Carlos Vicens for long‑term plan

Olympique Lyonnais have ruled out former Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage as a coaching option and have instead appointed Carlos Vicens, signalling a shift towards a long‑term project that avoids the contractual complications of a Sage return. The decision comes as the club seeks stability after Paulo Fonseca's departure.

Sporting director Matthieu Louis-Jean confirmed that Sage never appeared on Lyon's shortlist, chiefly because his existing contract made him unavailable. Sage, still under contract at Crystal Palace, has a year and a half remaining, with an option to extend.

Despite rumours that the former Lyon coach re‑entered discussions after Fonseca left for Sporting CP, the board never formally examined his candidacy, and the idea of his return never moved beyond speculation.

Pep Guardiola backs Carlos Vicens as Lyon's new manager at Olympique Lyonnais

Vicens appointed as new head coach

Carlos Vicens, previously in charge of Braga, was officially named Lyon's new head coach on Tuesday. The club presented him as a coach who meets their criteria and principles for the role.

Vicens conducted his first training session on Wednesday morning at the club's Décines facility with only sixteen players available. Seventeen squad members were absent due to injuries and other reasons, and the Spanish coach delivered instructions in English.

Lyon pick Carlos Vicens over Ruben Kluivert, Genk sack Jess Thorup

The session marked the concrete start of a new Lyon cycle, with the board preferring an immediately available manager over a contract‑bound Sage, and Vicens now succeeds Fonseca with a long‑term mandate.