Kluivert gets new manager: Sporting buys Fonseca away from Lyon immediately

Fonseca leaves Lyon immediately to become Sporting, former Portugal manager; the Portuguese club pays €5m compensation.

Paulo Fonseca has departed Olympique Lyon to take charge of Sporting Portugal, with the Portuguese club paying €5 million in compensation. The 53-year-old manager's exit comes mid-season despite Lyon's strong form — the club sits third in Ligue 1 and has won two of three Europa League matches. Sporting moved quickly after sacking Rui Borges earlier this month, identifying Fonseca as their target. Lyon expressed regret at the departure, stating in a club statement that Fonseca had made clear his wish to leave and that management felt continuing the relationship was not in the club's interest. Assistant coach Jorge Maciel will take temporary charge until the international break. At Sporting, Fonseca faces the challenge of closing a nine-point gap to leaders FC Porto; Sporting are well-positioned in the Champions League with nine points from four matches after beating Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.