Olympique Lyonnais manager Paulo Fonseca is reported to have announced his departure from the Rhône-based club to his players this morning, according to RMC Sport.

Jorge Maciel, his assistant manager, is expected to take charge on an interim basis for the Europa League match against Real Sociedad next Thursday. Whether he takes his place on the bench on Sunday for the away match at Brest will depend on whether or not a new head coach is appointed before the winter break.

Carlos Vicens, the former SC Braga manager and Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, who has been linked with a move to OL, is reportedly the frontrunner to succeed Fonseca.

Having arrived in Lyon in January 2025, the Portuguese manager, whose contract expires next June, is now set to join Sporting CP, the club he supports, which parted ways with its manager Rui Borges last night. This outcome was expected, as Fonseca himself had admitted, following Les Gones’ 2-0 victory over Angers SCO, that there was a “possibility” he might leave the club in the coming days.