Lyon to Appoint Paulo Fonseca as New Head Coach

Eppe Franklyne –

• Paulo Fonseca will replace Pierre Sage as the new coach of Lyon.
• Sage was dismissed despite guiding Lyon to a strong position in Ligue 1 and the Europa League.
• The decision was described as a “sporting choice,” though it has surprised many.
• American businessman John Textor, who owns Lyon, has been in contact with Fonseca for years.

Lyon is set to hire Paulo Fonseca as its new head coach, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity as the deal has not yet been publicly announced. Fonseca will take over from Pierre Sage, who was surprisingly fired despite leading the team out of a crisis last season and positioning them for a Champions League spot this season.

Sage, who had quickly become a fan favorite for guiding Lyon from the bottom of the standings to a sixth-place finish last season, was dismissed following a 1-1 draw with Nantes in Ligue 1. With 19 matches played this season, Lyon remains in sixth place, just four points away from a Champions League position and in a strong position to progress in the Europa League.

Lyon’s ownership, under American businessman John Textor, indicated that the decision to part ways with Sage was a “sporting choice.” Textor, who owns multiple clubs across the globe, including RWD Molenbeek in Belgium and Botafogo in Brazil, had been in regular contact with Fonseca, whom he had previously attempted to hire. Fonseca has been without a job since his dismissal from AC Milan on December 30.