Former AC Milan coach Paulo Fonseca was appointed as head coach of Ligue 1 side Lyon on Friday, following the departure of Pierre Sage.
The 51-year-old former Portugal international has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract and will be tasked with steering Lyon, currently sixth in the league, toward Champions League qualification.
Fonseca watched Lyon’s 1-1 draw against Bulgaria’s Ludogorets from the stands on Thursday alongside the club’s American owner, John Textor, as Lyon secured their spot in the last 16 of the Europa League.
Sage, who took over in November 2023 to rescue a team at the bottom of Ligue 1, had revitalized Lyon’s fortunes, leading them to European qualification and a French Cup final, which they lost to Paris Saint-Germain. However, he was dismissed after a disappointing run of five games without a win, including an early exit from the French Cup to fifth-division side Bourgoin-Jallieu.
Fonseca, who was dismissed by AC Milan in late December, brings valuable Ligue 1 experience to Lyon, having impressed during a two-year tenure at Lille. However, he will face the challenge of winning over Lyon supporters who had grown attached to Sage and were angered by his departure.
AFP
