Lyon has confirmed the hiring of Paulo Fonseca as its new coach. Fonseca is replacing Pierre Sage, who was fired despite leading the French league club out of a crisis last season and having the team within reach of a Champions League place in this campaign.

Former AC Milan coach Paulo Fonseca was handed the reins at Ligue 1 side Lyon on Friday following the departure of Pierre Sage.Fonseca, who was sacked by AC Milan in late December, has experience of Ligue 1 after impressing during two years in charge at Lille but he faces a battle to win over the Lyon fans who had taken to Sage and were angry at his sacking.

Olympique Lyonnais have appointed former AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca as their new head coach on a 2 1/2-year contract, the Ligue 1 club announced on Friday. Lyon sacked Pierre Sage earlier this week but made it into the last 16 of the Europa League after a 1-1 home draw with Ludogorets in their final group-stage match on Thursday.