'Magnificent atmosphere': when Paulo Fonseca was won over by Alvalade

"The magnificent atmosphere here helped push Sporting to victory." Paulo Fonseca's comments on January 10, 2016, have taken on a whole new meaning. Then manager of SC Braga, he acknowledged the immense impact of the home crowd after a 3-2 defeat at Alvalade against Jorge Jesus' side, in a match where the Lions fought back from two goals down. Nearly 11 years later, he is the Sporting board's primary target to succeed Rui Borges.

The Lions are understood to have already made preliminary inquiries for the current Lyon boss, who is the preferred choice of the club's hierarchy. Nevertheless, Rui Borges will definitely remain in the dugout for the team's next two fixtures, against Shakhtar Donetsk and Moreirense.

Fonseca could therefore be leading the race for a new challenge in Portugal, where he has already coached several clubs. His managerial career began at 1.º Dezembro, with subsequent spells at Odivelas, Pinhalnovense, Desportivo das Aves, Paços de Ferreira, FC Porto, and SC Braga. Since then, Fonseca has forged an extensive international career, taking charge of Shakhtar Donetsk, Roma, Lille, and AC Milan before arriving at Lyon, where he currently manages.

It was during his time with the Minho outfit that the coach was truly won over by the Alvalade atmosphere. Despite the 3-2 loss, he was full of praise for the Sporting faithful, admitting that the fervent backing from the stands propelled Jorge Jesus' men to all three points.

Now, nearly 11 years after hailing the atmosphere at the home of the Lions, Fonseca could find those very same fans cheering in his corner. Any potential deal, however, will hinge on reaching an agreement with Lyon, where he is contracted until the end of the season and whose directors have been pushing for a contract extension.