Since Paulo Fonseca did not yet hold the position of coach of Olympique Lyonnais, his approach to the game already aroused the interest of John Textor, owner of the club. This fascination has intensified following the appointment of Fonseca, which is fully involved in understanding the strategies implemented for each meeting, demonstrating a deep commitment to the sport project. The choice to appoint a coach from the training centre at the head of the professional team, a bold decision, proved decisive, despite the short passage of Pierre Sagen, whose departure was linked to Textor’s desire to integrate a specific coach, initially in Botafogo and then in Lyon. The arrival of Paulo Fonseca, former coach of AC Milan, in early February, marked the beginning of a strong and singular professional relationship.

This relationship is characterized by an unusual dynamic, described by Fonseca as “horizontal” rather than vertical, involving an active integration of Textor into pre-match discussions. The Lyon owner is thus fully informed of the coach’s tactics and intentions before each meeting, not by a hierarchical injunction, but by a shared will. Fonseca expresses its appreciation for this involvement, stressing that it allows it to share its vision and strengthen the group’s cohesion, a crucial element for collective success. The unfortunate incident involving a nine-month suspension following a gesture towards referee Benoit Millot did not weaken this link, on the contrary, it strengthened it, symbolizing unwavering solidarity between the coach and his president.

This solidarity extends to the entire club, as demonstrated by the group of players, and is seen by Fonseca as essential to the lasting success of Olympique Lyonnais. He stressed the importance of involving every member of the club in the sport project, thus fostering a spirit of unity and collaboration. The coach stressed that listening and mutual understanding are sine qua non conditions for stability and success, and that an absence of these elements can lead to significant weakening. Faced with Manchester United, the demonstration of this solidarity at all levels of the club will be crucial, representing a crucial moment for the institution and its ambition to triumph on 21 May in Bilbao.