French club Olympique Lyonnais have appointed Spanish coach Carlos Vicens as their new head coach, with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola playing an influential role in the decision. Lyon general manager Michael Gerlinger has revealed that he sought Guardiola’s direct opinion before moving ahead with the appointment, receiving a strong recommendation for the former Manchester City assistant.
Speaking at Vicens’s official unveiling on Tuesday, Gerlinger disclosed details of his conversation with Guardiola, who spoke highly of the 43-year-old coach’s professional abilities, personality and approach to the game. Particular praise was reserved for Vicens’s expertise in set-piece situations, an increasingly important aspect of modern football.
Recalling the discussion, Gerlinger described Guardiola’s response as an extended expression of confidence in his former colleague. He said the Manchester City manager had made it clear that Vicens was both a highly capable coach and an excellent person.
Guardiola also encouraged Gerlinger to speak directly with Vicens and proceed with the appointment without hesitation. The endorsement carried considerable weight, given the experience the pair had shared at Manchester City, where Vicens worked as part of Guardiola’s coaching staff for four years.
Vicens served as an assistant coach at the Premier League club from 2021 to 2025. During that period, he gained valuable experience working under one of the most influential managers in contemporary football. Guardiola is widely recognised for his emphasis on tactical organisation, positional play, technical discipline and meticulous preparation. Working within that environment provided Vicens with an opportunity to develop his understanding of elite-level coaching.
His responsibilities also helped him build expertise in specific areas of the game, particularly set-piece strategies. These situations, which include corners, free-kicks and other dead-ball opportunities, can have a decisive influence on closely contested matches. Guardiola’s particular recognition of Vicens’s work in this department suggests that his tactical contribution was highly regarded within the Manchester City coaching structure.
Before joining Lyon, Vicens had already taken a significant step in his managerial career by becoming head coach of Portuguese club Braga. Moving from an assistant role to leading a first-team squad marked an important transition, giving him the opportunity to apply his coaching philosophy and make decisions independently.
At Lyon, Vicens replaces Paulo Fonseca, who recently left the French club to join Portuguese side Sporting CP. The change in management has opened a new chapter for the French outfit, with the appointment of a relatively young coach who combines experience at one of Europe’s leading clubs with a spell in charge of a senior side in Portuguese football.
The challenge ahead will be to establish his authority within the squad, implement his tactical ideas and deliver performances that match Lyon’s ambitions. The club will expect him to bring organisation, consistency and a clear footballing identity to the team.
Guardiola’s recommendation may have strengthened Lyon’s confidence in their choice, but Vicens will ultimately be judged on results and performances on the pitch. His first major task will be to translate the knowledge gained under Guardiola into a successful spell as head coach in French football.
