Fonseca leaves Lyon ahead of expected Sporting appointment

Paulo Fonseca has actually left Lyon and is anticipated to end up being Sporting CP’s brand-new head coach.

Fonseca signed up with Lyon in January 2025 and led the club to a fourth-place surface in Ligue 1 last term, simply losing out on Champions League football by a point.

This season, they sit 3rd after 9 video games, having actually accumulated 17 points (W5 D2 L2), and they sit simply 3 points behind Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

In overall, Fonseca managed 82 matches in charge of the club, winning 46 of those video games (D12 L24), and entrusting a win portion of 56.1%.

While Sporting are yet to reveal Fonseca’s visit, Lyon validated it in their statement of his exit, likewise specifying their dissatisfaction over the 53-year-old’s choice to leave.

“Approached in recent days by a club to which he is particularly attached, Paulo Fonseca has informed the management of his wish to leave Olympique Lyonnais,” Lyon stated in their declaration.

“An unanticipated choice which OL deeply is sorry for, all the more so by its timing in the middle of the season.

“Faced with this plainly revealed will, the management thought about that it was not in the interest of the club to continue a partnership that might no longer ensure the level of overall dedication vital to the success of the job.

“In such a definitive duration of the season, Olympique Lyonnais thinks that all of its forces need to be totally mobilised and concentrated on the club’s goals.

“The management has therefore taken note of Paulo Fonseca’s decision and is now working to identify his successor.”

Official: Paulo Fonseca leaves OL to sign up with Sporting CP. https://t.co/yjOtjLDEDR https://t.co/VGFHLy7luc

— Olympique Lyonnais (@OL_English) November 4, 2026

Sporting, who sacked Rui Borges on Monday after a bad start to their Primeira Liga project, will pay Lyon EUR5m in settlement for Fonseca’s exit.

Fonseca is going back to his home nation as a supervisor for the very first time given that leaving Braga in May 2016.

In a declaration on social networks, Fonseca dealt with the Lyon fans, stating: “Some choices in life are both sources of joy and unhappiness. This one becomes part of that.

“I bid goodbye to Olympique Lyonnais, and it’s even more hard than I ever might have envisioned.

“Over time, Lyon has actually ended up being a lot more than simply a location where I worked: it has actually ended up being a home. A location where I felt safe, supported, and appreciated, even in the most difficult minutes. I will always remember that.

“To the advocates: thank you for making me feel comfortable. Your enthusiasm, your love for this club, and all the feelings we’ve shared will stay etched in my memory permanently.

“Football has actually become part of my life for as long as I can keep in mind. And often, it uses you the opportunity to satisfy a dream you’ve brought given that youth. That minute has actually shown up for me. I enjoy and grateful for what lies ahead, however a part of my heart will constantly stay in Lyon.

“I leave with immense gratitude and memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Thank you, Lyon. For everything.”