Olympique Lyonnais have named Carlos Vicens as their new head coach, the club confirmed on Monday evening. The Spanish coach replaces Paulo Fonseca in the Lyon dugout and has signed a contract running until June 2028, according to RMC Sport.
The appointment was also reported by L'Équipe and announced on the club's official website. Vicens previously coached Braga.
Why it matters
The change puts a coach with a background under Pep Guardiola in charge of one of France's most prominent clubs. Le Monde described Vicens as a disciple of the Manchester City manager, a detail that shapes how his appointment will be read in Lyon.
Lyon's own explanation for the hire, as reported by RMC Sport, focused on style rather than reputation. The club said the new coach's approach to the game, his standards and the weight he gives to player development all fit the direction Lyon has set for itself.
The timing is notable. The move lands at the start of a second international break of the season, a period when European clubs often reassess their coaching situations. Lyon acted on the same day several other clubs across the continent made or faced decisions about their benches.
A busy day on the coaching market
Lyon was not the only club making a change. In Italy, Sassuolo dismissed Alberto Aquilani, making him the sixth Serie A coach to lose his job this season, RMC Sport reported. The club, based in Emilia-Romagna, said in a statement that it had ended the roles of the coach and his staff, thanked them for their commitment and professionalism, and wished them well.
In France's lower divisions, Aubagne (SCABB) parted with coach Karim Masmoudi. Club general manager William Fekraoui announced the decision on BFM Marseille Provence, citing poor results. Aubagne sit second from bottom of Ligue 3 with seven points from 12 matches, three points from safety.
Elsewhere, former Real Madrid player Raúl González, out of work since leaving Castilla in 2025, took charge at Real Oviedo in Spain's second tier on a deal to 2028. The club said his first match would be Saturday against Girona at the Carlos Tartiere stadium.
In Paris, the Paris FC board approved the departure of Pierre Ferracci. Antoine Arnault becomes president, with Jean-Marc Gallot moving from general manager to delegated president.
Pressure building elsewhere
Several coaches remain under scrutiny. According to English press reports cited by RMC Sport, Pierre Sage is unlikely to survive at Crystal Palace after a 1-3 home defeat to Liverpool. The French coach, who joined from Lens in the summer, has seen his side fall to last place in the Premier League with 10 points and two wins. Thomas Frank, out of work since leaving Tottenham in February, is named as the leading candidate to replace him, with Frank Lampard, Sean Dyche, Vitor Pereira, Kim Hellberg, Vitor Matos and Tony Popovic also mentioned by Sky Sports.
At Manchester United, manager Michael Carrick said he expects to carry on despite a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa that left the club in the relegation zone. "We understand the situation; we haven't won enough games," he said after the match, adding that he intended to keep working on the issues raised and to cut out mistakes.
At Lens, Yannick Cahuzac acknowledged a difficult week of three defeats, including a 1-9 loss to Como, but said his side had shown resilience. "We're sick," he said. "We felt that Wednesday left some after-effects." He added that the team lacked confidence on the ball but had looked more solid defensively.
What to watch
Vicens's first task will be settling a Lyon squad during the international pause, with the January transfer window opening in less than two months. Whether Palace move on Sage, and how quickly, is the other situation to monitor.
