Sporting sacks Rui Borges and signs Paulo Fonseca from Lyon

Paulo Fonseca leaves Lyon to become Sporting's new manager after Rui Borges is sacked following an inconsistent start to the season.

Sporting de Portugal has sacked manager Rui Borges and will replace him with Paulo Fonseca, who is leaving Lyon. The move is not yet officially confirmed, but Fonseca has agreed to take over at Alvalade. Interim manager Tiago Fernandes, who oversees Sporting's reserve team, will be in the dugout for Tuesday's Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Borges, 45, won the Portuguese League and Cup in his first season (2024–25), delivering the club's first domestic double in 23 years. However, his second campaign has been disappointing: Sporting sit third in the Liga de Portugal, nine points behind leaders Porto, and were defeated in the Copa final by second-division Torreense. Despite this, Sporting reached the Champions League quarter-finals.

Fonseca's departure is a significant blow to Lyon, who face Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday. The Portuguese coach, who has previously managed Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Roma, Lille and Milan, joined Lyon on 31 January 2025.