Currently third in Ligue 1 and well on course to qualify for the second round of the Europa League, Olympique Lyonnais must nevertheless now contend with a setback they would certainly have preferred to avoid. For whilst things are going relatively well on the sporting front, the imminent departure of their manager Paulo Fonseca to Sporting CP – the club of his heart, which recently parted ways with Rui Borges – could well shake things up.

Rocked by this unexpected turn of events, Les Gones are now setting about finding a successor to the Portuguese manager. And whilst the trail leading to Carlos Vicens appears to be the most promising, the name of Thiago Motta – who knows the French league well, having played for Paris Saint-Germain between 2012 and 2018 – has also been mentioned.

However, seeing the Italian take his place on the Rhône-based team’s bench seems increasingly unlikely, according to reports from Foot Mercato. Although he has been without a club since leaving Juventus in March 2025, the former midfielder has nevertheless been offered several opportunities in recent months, none of which have truly suited him.

The main reason behind that has been the Italian coach’s financial demands, which have proved a real stumbling block in the various negotiations he has held. In addition to his salary, estimated at around €4m a year, Motta is also said to have specific requirements regarding his coaching staff, whom he wishes to bring on board for whichever project he chooses, built around his playing philosophy and working methods.

Furthermore, whilst the 44-year-old coach may indeed be interested in the idea of returning to France, Foot Mercato explains that his priority would remain coaching in Serie A. Napoli, who have shown interest in Motta in the past, could even become an option if the southern Italian club were to part ways with Massimiliano Allegri.