Sporting Market: Lyon line up potential successors to Sporting-linked Paulo Fonseca

With Paulo Fonseca's future at Lyon looking increasingly uncertain amid strong interest from Sporting CP, the first potential successors to take charge of the French club are beginning to emerge.

According to French outlet L'Équipe, former Juventus head coach Thiago Motta is an option under consideration should the Portuguese tactician depart.

As reported by A BOLA on Saturday, Sporting's interest intensified over the past week, with talks held between Sporting president Frederico Varandas, Fonseca's agent, and Lyon's hierarchy. All three parties are receptive to reaching an agreement during the upcoming international break, although nothing has been finalized yet.

At Alvalade, the primary goal is finding a replacement for Rui Borges, who has come under mounting pressure following inconsistent results. After evaluating several managerial candidates, Varandas made Fonseca his absolute priority. The 53-year-old manager is open to returning to his boyhood club, especially as Sporting's board are willing to match the salary he currently earns in France.

Under contract with Lyon until June 2027, Fonseca earns between €350,000 and €400,000 per month. Contract extension talks have stalled due to Lyon's financial difficulties, with the French side viewing a mutual termination as a significant opportunity to trim their wage bill amid strict requirements from the DNCG, French football's financial watchdog.

For now, any link to Thiago Motta remains purely hypothetical, with no direct approach made by Lyon representatives. Alongside the Italian-Brazilian, a section of Lyon supporters are keen on the return of Pierre Sage—currently going through a turbulent spell at Crystal Palace—though no formal talks have taken place there either.

For the time being, Fonseca will stay in charge for Sunday's home clash against Angers and is also expected to be in the dugout on Thursday against Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League.

Meanwhile, the Sporting squad enjoyed a rest day on Sunday and are scheduled to resume training on Monday before flying to England in the afternoon. On Tuesday, the Lions take on Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk at Stamford Bridge in matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League phase.