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SOCCER

Paulo Fonseca Leaves Lyon for Sporting; Jorge Maciel Takes Interim Charge

Sporting will pay Lyon €5 million for the early end to Fonseca’s contract. Maciel will lead the team until the international break.

By TSP Staff
Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca embraces Corentin Tolisso against Angers
Paulo Fonseca embraces Corentin Tolisso during Lyon’s match against Angers on November 1, 2026. Photo: Olivier Chassignole/AFP. · Credit: Olivier Chassignole/AFP via Olympique et Lyonnais

Paulo Fonseca has left Lyon to become Sporting’s coach, with Jorge Maciel taking interim charge of the French club until the November international break.

Sporting will pay €5 million in compensation for ending Fonseca’s contract early, Lyon said in a statement issued Wednesday.

Lyon said Fonseca had told club officials he wanted to leave after being approached by Sporting. The club described the midseason decision as unexpected and said it was searching for a successor whose approach would provide continuity.

Maciel was assigned the team’s matches against Real Sociedad and Brest before the international break. Lyon have not announced a permanent replacement.