OL: astronomical salary cut with Fonseca's departure, no link to Moreira deal

Fonseca's departure to Sporting will save Lyon €400,000 per month in wages; replacement expected to cost €100,000–150,000 monthly.

Paulo Fonseca is set to leave Lyon to join Sporting mid-season after being evasive about his future following the club's 2-0 win over Angers. The Portuguese manager had a contract through June 2027 worth €400,000 gross per month. His exit will allow Lyon significant savings: the replacement is expected to cost between €100,000 and €150,000 monthly, freeing up funds equivalent to the salaries of two or three Ligue 1 players.

Carlos Vicens, former Manchester City assistant under Pep Guardiola and recently dismissed by Braga, is the leading candidate to succeed Fonseca. Thiago Motta was also proposed but there has been no contact.

The article clarifies that Lyon's recent €22 million profit from selling Afonso Moreira to Bayer Leverkusen (purchased from Sporting for under €8 million in summer 2025) is unrelated to Fonseca's departure. Sporting has already received its 20% share of the profit, approximately €5.5 million.