Dugarry slams Fonseca for insisting on leaving Lyon mid-season

Dugarry criticised Fonseca for insisting on leaving Lyon mid-season to join Sporting, accusing him of exploiting the club's financial difficulties.

Paulo Fonseca's departure from Olympique Lyonnais to Sporting Portugal has sparked controversy. The Portuguese manager approached the club last week to inform them he had accepted an offer from his childhood club, leaving Lyon without a coach mid-season despite the club's financial struggles.

Lyon's sporting director Mathieu Louis-Jean expressed regret at the timing, saying Fonseca made clear it was a matter of the heart and that the club could not retain him against his will. The club will receive €5 million in compensation and save on his salary.

Former France striker Christophe Dugarry was scathing in his criticism on RMC, calling Fonseca's behaviour "scandalous" and accusing him of exploiting Lyon's financial problems. Dugarry pointed out that the club had supported Fonseca during a six-month suspension and that abandoning the team mid-season showed a lack of honour. Fellow pundit Jérôme Rothen echoed the sentiment, suggesting Fonseca had manipulated the club's goodwill after repeatedly emphasising the family atmosphere.