Have Lyon finally found a coach capable of leaving a lasting mark on their modern history, like Gerard Houllier or Paul Le Guen?
After a string of disappointments under some big names - Laurent Blanc, Rudi Garcia, Peter Bosz, Fabio Grosso, and Sylvinho - Lyon seem to have regained a sense of direction under Paulo Fonseca. The Portuguese manager has restored order and brought sporting stability back to one of France’s major clubs.
In this calmer environment, the club and coach can celebrate their first anniversary together with a smile.
"When the club hired me, they knew the philosophy I had. I like to play attacking, intense football where the real star is the group," Fonseca told Flashscore.
"So since the beginning of this season, we've been working hard in training to become more united, to work for each other. And if we do this, we can fight for the top spots in Ligue 1."
Already making history
Under his leadership, Lyon boast a 64.6% win rate in official matches (31 wins in 48 games), the best a coach has held in the club’s history, just ahead of Houllier's 63.9%. This figure is all the more symbolic given the lasting impact the French coach had in the early 2000s, which remains a benchmark for the club.
The parallel is striking: Lyon are currently on a nine-game winning streak in all competitions, something not seen since the 2006/2007 season, when Houllier was in charge. And, in 29 official matches, Lyon hadn’t reached 20 wins this quickly since that same season, when they did so in 25 games.
"I'm very happy with the response of the players and my staff, and I know the results we are seeing now are due to this mentality and this philosophy since the start of the season," he said.
The stats are looking good, but the medium-term goal remains the same: to win a trophy, especially for a club of Lyon's stature.
Eyes on the prize
The last major trophy came in the summer of 2012, and since then, the Trophee des Champions is the only addition to the cabinet. It’s been a long and frustrating wait for Lyon fans, who are eager to see new silverware in the club’s display cases.
Of course, the context has changed, with PSG now utterly dominant in a far cry from the more balanced landscape of the early 2010s. But given the club's current form, especially in Europe, why not dream?
Indeed, by finishing top of their Europa League group with 21 points from eight matches, Lyon secured top spot this Thursday. This achievement was far from a given, considering the strength and competitiveness of the Europa League, with teams like Aston Villa, Roma, Real Betis, and Feyenoord in the mix.
The Coupe de France is also part of the club’s quest for silverware. Paris Saint-Germain were knocked out as early as the round of 32, opening the door for others. This gives real hope of a season to remember as Lyon prepare to face Laval in the round of 16.
"We are obviously focusing on each round as it comes," said Fonseca.
"We were very happy with our performance in the league phase of the Europa League and we are very proud to have finished in first place. This is a tough competition. "
"All I can promise is that we will try to make it as far as we can in Coupe de France as well. We'll see what our opponents can do, but I can promise everyone we will give our best to make it as far as we can."
However, the Portuguese coach remains grounded and knows that the club’s top priority is still qualifying for the Champions League. That goal is well within reach, given the results so far and the current momentum, boosted in particular by the arrival of the new star Endrick.
However, a demanding second half of the season awaits, with tough away trips to Strasbourg, Marseille, Paris, and Toulouse on the horizon.
"This is a very competitive league and there are many teams who are fighting for the top spots," Fonseca stated. "So all we can do on our side is try our hardest, depend on our work ethic, not be afraid to attack and to dominate games when possible."
Fonseca’s winning formula
Just as he did at Lille, Fonseca has never hesitated to rely on young players to drive his project forward. The Portuguese coach has built a reputation as a bold developer of talent, unafraid to throw youngsters in at the deep end, a hallmark of his career from the very start.
"The way to develop young players is to give them the confidence and the belief that they can make a difference and they don't need to be afraid of making mistakes," he said.
"We've had great performances from several young players this season, and I expect more of the same, because when there is confidence and there is belief and there is courage, then there are all the ingredients they need to be successful."
The Lyon squad is built on a careful balance between experienced leaders like Corentin Tolisso and Clinton Mata and a rising generation led by Tyler Morton, Malick Fofana, Ernest Nuamah, Tanner Tessmann, Adam Karabec, and Afonso Moreira. As is often the case at Lyon, academy graduates also play a key role, such as Khalis Merah and Remi Humbert, two of the four scorers against PAOK.
"Our academy is doing outstanding work. It allows us to bring young players into training and get them ready for our game style."
"We have had many young players who have been training with us regularly and deserve the opportunity to play, not only because of their talent, but also because of their hard work. And the longer they are with us, the faster they will develop and be prepared for the intensity of the competitions we are involved in."
'A whole new dimension'
In this spirit, the signing of Endrick from Real Madrid fits perfectly with the coach’s philosophy. His impact is already clear - his first career hat-trick against Metz is proof that youth is at the heart of Lyon’s project.
"Endrick is an explosive player. He can change a game and he has given us a new dimension up front," said Fonseca of the teenager.
"He's very mobile and he wants to work for the team. It's not just about scoring goals; he is creating them for others as well.
"He's fit in very well with the group, is working hard, and I'm happy with his performances."
This approach is also a result of the bold decisions made during the last summer transfer window. Alexandre Lacazette, Thiago Almada, Georges Mikautadze, Rayan Cherki, Nemanja Matic, and Lucas Perri all left, forcing the club to start afresh.
Far from holding Paulo Fonseca back, this situation seems to suit him perfectly. Used to rebuilding projects, the Portuguese coach has been able to shape a squad in his own image, true to his principles and vision of the game.
One year on, the future looks bright for Lyon. Just into the second year of the Fonseca project, the club already have solid foundations, a clear identity, and exciting prospects.
The road ahead is still long, but one thing is certain: Lyon are now moving forward with purpose, led by a coach who has truly made his mark.
Lyon take on Fonseca's former club Lille on Sunday - follow the clash with Flashscore!