Will John Textor take advantage of Paulo Fonseca’s suspension to part ways with him? Not at all, according to the latest message from the Lyon president.
After his altercation with referee Benoît Millot, Paulo Fonseca has been handed a severe sanction, barring him from the sidelines until November. This situation could have led John Textor to consider dismissing him for gross misconduct, an option that would come at no financial cost to the club.
Former goalkeeper Jérôme Alonzo, highly critical of the OL owner, sees this as a real test of leadership. Speaking on La Chaîne L’Équipe, he challenged Textor directly: “Every week, you tell us ‘I’m fantastic, I’m amazing’… Well, now is the time to show it!” Alonzo urged him to take a firm ethical stance, viewing this as a perfect opportunity to demonstrate strong decision-making.
Textor Backs Fonseca Despite the Suspension
However, John Textor has made his position clear—he has no intention of firing Fonseca. On Instagram, the Lyon owner expressed full support for his coach.
“Happy birthday, Paulo! I stand with you today and always. You made a mistake… Your apology was sincere… And your punishment is clearly too harsh. You are the right man for OL, and we must persevere. Allez l’OL!” wrote the American businessman.
Despite the controversy, it appears Fonseca will remain in charge, with the backing of his president.
