--- title: "Fonseca on the Verge of Leaving Lyon: Sporting Initiates Talks to Appoint the Portuguese Manager" description: "According to L'Equipe, Lisbon's Sporting has opened negotiations with Lyon over the appointment of Paulo Fonseca as head coach. The Portuguese manager could return to his home league for the first time since 2016." date: 2026-11-01T15:16:06.068Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/fonseca-on-the-verge-of-leaving-lyon-for-sporting tags: [paulo-fonseca, lyon, sporting-lisbon, shakhtar-donetsk, champions-league, football] author: "Inna Kinsheva" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Fonseca on the Verge of Leaving Lyon: Sporting Initiates Talks to Appoint the Portuguese Manager ![Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca sitting on the bench alongside an assistant wearing club gear](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/01/fonseka-v-shage-ot-uhoda-iz-liona-radi-sportinga/fonseka-v-shage-ot-uhoda-iz-liona-radi-sportinga-1.webp) ## Key Points - Sporting has initiated dialogue with Fonseca's agent and Lyon's management regarding the appointment of the Portuguese coach - The trigger was Sporting's 2–3 defeat to LASK in the Champions League; Varandas views Fonseca as the priority candidate - Fonseca will remain at Lyon for matches against Angers, Brest, and Real Sociedad to ensure a smooth handover - Thiago Motta is cited as a replacement option at Lyon; Sporting plays Fonseca's former club Shakhtar on November 3 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. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Фонсека может покинуть "Лион" ради соперника "Шахтера" в Лиге чемпионов](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/football/fonseka-mozhe-zalishiti-lion-zaradi-supernika-1793545777.html) - Primary source: Sporting's negotiations with Fonseca according to L'Equipe, Lyon matches, Motta replacement, and the Shakhtar match on November 3. - [Лион хочет пригласить легенду на тренерское место Фонсеки](https://www.ua-football.com/foreign/france/1793539959-lion-hochet-priglasit-legendu-na-trenerskoe-mesto-fonseki.html) - Confirms Thiago Motta as a replacement option per insider Nicolo Schira. ## FAQ ### Has Fonseca officially moved to Sporting yet? No. According to L'Equipe, negotiations are at an early but positive stage: Sporting has contacted the coach's agent and Lyon's management, but no agreement has been signed yet. ### Why is Sporting looking for a new manager? Rui Borges's position sharply deteriorated following a sensational 2–3 defeat to LASK in the Champions League, prompting president Frederico Varandas to eye Fonseca as the priority target. ### Will Fonseca manage Lyon in their upcoming matches? Yes. He will stay in charge for the Ligue 1 matches against Angers and Brest, as well as the Europa League clash against Real Sociedad, to guarantee a smooth transition. ### Who could replace Fonseca at Lyon? According to insider Nicolo Schira, Thiago Motta has made it onto Lyon's shortlist.