Former Shakhtar Donetsk manager Paulo Fonseca is on the brink of prematurely terminating his contract with French club Lyon. According to the French publication L'Equipe, cited by Sport RBC.UA, Lisbon's Sporting has launched active discussions regarding the appointment of the 52-year-old Portuguese specialist as head coach. The Portuguese side has already contacted Fonseca's agent and Lyon's management, with negotiations reportedly at an early but very positive stage.
Varandas's Priority Candidate
The key trigger for Sporting's search for a new manager was the sharp deterioration of the team's position under Rui Borges. A sensational 2–3 defeat to Austrian side LASK in the Champions League undermined the club hierarchy's confidence in the current boss. Sporting president Frederico Varandas, according to L'Equipe, considers Fonseca the priority candidate for the role. The Lisbon club is reportedly ready to maintain the Portuguese manager's current salary level, making the offer particularly attractive.
Returning to Portugal After a Decade
For Fonseca himself, this move holds special significance: should he transfer to Sporting, it will mark his return to managerial work in Portugal for the first time since 2016. It was that year the Portuguese coach began his journey at Shakhtar Donetsk, where he worked until 2019 and secured three domestic 'double' titles with the Ukrainian club, becoming one of the most successful managers in team history. Thus, a potential move to the Lisbon club would close the circle of his career and return him to the football environment where he started.
Smooth Handover of Powers at Lyon
Despite the active transition process, Fonseca will remain at the helm of Les Gones in the near future. According to sources, he will manage Lyon in their Ligue 1 matches against Angers and Brest, as well as the Europa League fixture against Real Sociedad. This approach ensures a smooth handover of powers and prevents leaving the team without an experienced leader at a crucial moment in the season. This is standard practice during managerial changes at top clubs, where the outgoing coach oversees the next few immediate fixtures.
Potential Successors to Fonseca
Should the Portuguese manager depart, Lyon has already begun considering replacement options. According to insider Nicolo Schira, legendary defender Thiago Motta has entered the French club's shortlist as he looks to get his career back on track following his latest managerial stint. Thus, running parallel to Sporting's negotiations, Lyon is formulating a Plan B in the event the scenario with Fonseca materializes.
Symbolic Intersection with Shakhtar
The situation acquires an additional twist due to the Champions League calendar: Sporting happens to be Shakhtar Donetsk's next opponent in the tournament. The head-to-head encounter between the teams is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, at 19:45 Kyiv time. Consequently, Fonseca's potential future employer will face his former club in the coming days, adding extra drama and media resonance to the transfer story.
