Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca departs Lyon as €5m fee looms

Olympique Lyonnais have confirmed on Wednesday that Portuguese manager Paulo Fonseca is leaving the club, with the side set to receive a €5 million compensation fee as he prepares to join Sporting CP in his native Portugal after being approached by a club he feels closely attached to and describing his request as unexpected and regrettable.

Lyon said in a Wednesday morning statement that in recent days Fonseca had been approached by a club he is particularly attached to. The club added that Fonseca asked to leave, calling the request unexpected and profoundly regrettable. Sporting CP have yet to officialise his arrival, although he is expected to take over from Rui Borges.

Images showed Fonseca arriving back in Portugal on Tuesday afternoon. His Con with Lyon was due to run out at the end of the campaign. Lyon will also save his considerable salary, estimated at around €3 million, as part of the termination.

Lyon will receive a €5 million compensation fee for the early termination. The French side, currently third in Ligue 1 and three points behind leaders Paris Saint‑Germain, are actively seeking a permanent replacement.

Lyon dismisses Fonseca and appoints Maciel as interim manager

Interim management and replacement search

Assistant Jorge Maciel will assume charge of the first team on an interim basis until the international break. Maciel will be on the touchline for the upcoming Ligue 1 fixtures against Real Sociedad in the Europa League and Stade Brestois in the domestic league.

Among the names linked with the job are Spanish coach Carlos Vicens, 43, recently dismissed by Sporting Braga, and former Juventus midfielder Thiago Motta, whose wage demands are said to exceed Lyon’s budget.

Motta’s €4m salary demand blocks path to replace Fonseca at Lyon

Fonseca had taken charge of Lyon in the summer of 2025 and in his first season guided the side to the Champions League playoff round, where they were eliminated by Fenerbahçe.