On January 28, John Textor surprised everyone by turning Pierre Sage to appoint Paulo Fonseca. Four months later, the record of the Portuguese coach turns slowly towards the negative.
John Textor’s decision was almost four months ago surprised more than one. Despite an honorable classification and an impeccable course in the Europa League, Pierre Sage was thanked by the boss of Olympique Lyonnais. The opportunity to jump on Paulo Fonseca, licensed by AC Milan a few days earlier, was too good for the American businessman but was it worth it? The Portuguese technician’s assessment is not necessarily very flattering two days before the end of the season with elimination in the incredible scenario against Manchester United, a defeat in the derby against Saint-Etienne and a 7th place in Ligue 1 at the moment. At the microphone of RMC, Florent Gautreau precisely mentioned this subject and for the journalist, it is clear that Paulo Fonseca does not better than Pierre Sage.
A disappointing assessment for Paulo Fonseca?
“Admittedly, OL dominated and the scenario is cruel. But it was not a very big Lyon match (against Lens), there are a lot of things that do not go. I come back to something, even if many do not agree with me. Paulo Fonseca has done good things, we will still notice that many results have been acquired against really lower teams. I am not amazed in relation to the Peter Sage period by the change of coach. They are seventh, they are far from the group (for the Champions League), and there is the history of the coach in the stands which does not help ” analyzed the After Foot journalist, quite disappointed with the turn of events at OL and by the bad results accumulated over the weeks by Paulo Fonseca.
Those who defend the Portuguese coach will still highlight a clear improvement in the Lyon game, especially in the offensive sector. But it is undoubtedly on the results that the ex-LOSC coach will be judged at the end of the season and for the moment, the objective set by John Textor is far from being achieved.
