French side Olympique Lyonnais have appointed Spanish coach Carlos Vicens as their new head coach, following a strong recommendation from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Lyon general manager Michael Gerlinger has revealed that he consulted Guardiola before making the decision, with the City boss offering an enthusiastic assessment of his former assistant’s abilities and character.
Speaking at Vicens’s official unveiling on Tuesday, Gerlinger explained that Guardiola had played an influential role in encouraging the French club to pursue the 43-year-old Spaniard. The Manchester City manager reportedly praised Vicens’s professional qualities, personality and tactical understanding, paying particular attention to his expertise in set-piece situations.
Recalling his conversation with Guardiola, Gerlinger described the City manager’s response as an extended expression of confidence in his former colleague.
“When you speak to Pep, it essentially turns into a long, positive monologue. He told me very clearly that Carlos was an extremely capable coach and a wonderful person. He was the one who encouraged me, without any hesitation, to speak to Carlos and move forward with the appointment,” Gerlinger said.
Guardiola’s recommendation carries particular significance because of the close professional relationship the two coaches developed at Manchester City. Vicens worked as part of Guardiola’s coaching staff between 2021 and 2025, spending four years alongside one of the most influential managers in modern football.
During that period, he gained experience of the detailed tactical preparation and training methods associated with Guardiola’s approach. Manchester City are known for their emphasis on positional play, structured attacking movements, technical discipline and the ability to control matches through possession. Working within that environment offered Vicens valuable exposure to the demands of coaching at the highest level.
His knowledge of set-pieces was another quality highlighted by Guardiola. Dead-ball situations, including corners and free-kicks, have become an increasingly important part of modern football, with teams investing considerable time in developing attacking routines and defensive organisation. A coach capable of identifying weaknesses and creating effective strategies in these situations can provide a significant tactical advantage.
After leaving Manchester City, Vicens took charge of Portuguese club Braga as head coach. The move represented an important stage in his career, allowing him to step out of an assistant role and take responsibility for managing a senior team. He now faces a new challenge in French football with Lyon.
Vicens replaces Paulo Fonseca, who recently departed Lyon to join Portuguese club Sporting CP. His arrival marks a change in the club’s coaching leadership as Lyon look to maintain their competitiveness in domestic football and strengthen their position.
For Vicens, the appointment offers an opportunity to demonstrate that his experience under Guardiola can translate into success as a head coach. While working alongside an established manager provides valuable knowledge, leading a team independently brings different responsibilities, including squad management, tactical decision-making and handling pressure during difficult periods.
Lyon will expect their new manager to establish a clear playing philosophy, improve the team’s organisation and make effective use of the players available to him. His understanding of tactical details, particularly in set-piece situations, could become an important element of his approach.
Guardiola’s endorsement has undoubtedly strengthened the confidence behind Lyon’s decision. However, Vicens will now have to justify that faith through performances and results on the pitch. His spell in charge of the French club will provide the clearest indication of how successfully he can turn the lessons learned at Manchester City into his own managerial achievements.
