Former AC Milan coach Paulo Fonseca was appointed head coach of Ligue 1 side Lyon on Friday, following the departure of Pierre Sage.
The 51-year-old former Portugal international signed a two-and-a-half-
year contract and has been tasked with guiding Lyon, who are currently sixth in the table, to Champions League qualification.
Fonseca watched from the stands on Thursday alongside Lyon’s American owner John Textor as Lyon secured their place in the last 16 of the Europa League with a 1-1 draw against Bulgaria’s Ludogorets.
Sage was an unknown quantity when he was appointed in November 2023 to take over a team that was rooted to the bottom of the French top flight.
He revived Lyon’s fortunes, guiding them to European qualification and a French Cup final, which they lost to Paris Saint-Germain.
However, he paid the price for a run of five games without a win this month, including a French Cup exit at the hands of fifth-division side Bourgoin-Jallieu.
Fonseca, who was sacked by AC Milan in late December, has experience of Ligue 1 after impressing during two years in charge at Lille. However, he faces a battle to win over the Lyon fans who had grown fond of Sage and were angered by his sacking.
AFP
