Following the sudden departure of Paulo Fonseca to Sporting CP, interim coach Jorge Maciel has finalized his coaching staff for the upcoming two fixtures. Maciel, who previously served as an assistant to Pierre Sage in 2024, will lead the squad through the Europa League match against Real Sociedad on November 5 and the Ligue 1 trip to Brest on November 8.
The coaching reshuffle became necessary after four of Fonseca’s assistants—Paulo Ferreira, Nelson Duarte, Antonio Ferreira, and Paulo Mourao—elected to join the head coach in Lisbon. Maciel emphasized that while the transition is abrupt, the priority remains maintaining the momentum established by the previous staff.
Roles Defined for European and Domestic Fixtures
Maciel confirmed his new organizational structure during a press conference on Wednesday, November 4, at the Anoeta stadium. Adrien Tarascon, who oversees individual player development, will step into the role of primary assistant on the bench. Physical preparation will be managed by Antonin Da Fonseca, the club’s head of performance.
The tactical analysis department has been split between the bench and the stands. Yannick Pothier will serve as the pitch-side video analyst, while Geoffrey Garcia and Florian Luong will monitor the game from the stands, focusing on the opponent and set-piece strategies, respectively. The club has added reserve team goalkeeper coach Sébastien Hamel to the team structure for the interim period.
Responsibility Shift for Match Management
Maciel acknowledged the change in his own professional scope, noting that the move from assistant to interim head coach shifts the burden of decision-making onto his shoulders. It’s not the same to have a collective reflection on coaching as it is to take the lead,
Maciel stated. He affirmed that he will hold sole responsibility for match-day management, team talks, and tactical substitutions.
We had them, so there is continuity to ensure.
I have confidence for this mission, and above all, I am not alone.
🚨OFFICIAL: Jorge Maciel will take charge of Lyon as INTERIM HEAD COACH following Paulo Fonseca’s departure to Sporting CP! The 41-year-old Portuguese coach will lead OL for their NEXT TWO MATCHES. Lyon are set to receive around €5 million in compensation for Fonseca’s… pic.twitter.com/XZAzG0t8th
The Path Forward
The sudden exit of the former manager and his four aides has left the club in a transitional state. With the squad preparing for the upcoming clash in the Basque Country and the subsequent domestic fixture, the interim staff is focused on stabilizing operations. The club has clarified that the current organizational model is temporary, specifically designed to bridge the gap until a permanent successor is officially named at the start of the international break.
Search for a Permanent Successor
The current coaching structure is strictly provisional. The club is expected to appoint a permanent replacement for Fonseca at the beginning of the upcoming international break.
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