This manager, who brought out Christian Pulisic’s best when he was at Milan, is now facing a severe nine-month ban from the sport.
Christian Pulisic enjoyed a remarkable first half of the 2024-25 season under a manager whose tactical acumen allowed him to thrive in Milan’s attack. From August to December 2024, the American winger showcased some of the best form of his career, racking up eight goals and six assists across all competitions. In Serie A alone, he was directly involved in ten goals, with five goals and five assists in 14 appearances. His performances extended to the UEFA Champions League, where he netted three goals and provided an assist in five games.
With 1,437 minutes played, Pulisic had become an integral part of Milan’s attacking setup. His resurgence, under the guidance of his new coach, gave the Rossoneri fans hope that the team could push for a return to the elite. However, as the calendar year ended, the club made a stunning decision—opting to part ways with their coach just months into his tenure.
On December 30, 2024, Milan officially dismissed Paulo Fonseca, bringing an end to his brief and turbulent spell in charge. His exit came just one day after a 2-2 draw against Roma, which proved to be his final match at the helm. To make matters worse, the 52-year-old’s final match was emblematic of his struggles.
Fonseca was sent off after launching into a furious protest when Tijjani Reijnders went down in the box just before halftime. The referee dismissed his penalty appeal, and VAR confirmed no foul had been committed. Enraged, the Portuguese lashed out at the officials, resulting in a red card. It was a sign of things to come.
Fresh start in France, but old habits resurface
Despite his struggles at Milan, Fonseca quickly found another opportunity. On January 31, French side Lyon appointed him as their new head coach in hopes of reviving their fortunes. Initially, things appeared to be turning around, with three wins and two defeats in his first five games.
However, his temper once again landed him in serious trouble. On March 2, during Lyon’s 2-1 victory over Brest, Fonseca erupted in anger after the referee denied a potential penalty against his side. As the match official, Benoit Millot, approached the VAR monitor, Fonseca stormed onto the pitch and confronted him. When Millot brandished a red card, Fonseca reacted by pressing his forehead against the referee’s—an action interpreted as an attempted headbutt. “I felt frightened,” Millot later told L’Equipe.
Fonseca issued a swift apology after the incident, admitting, “It was the wrong thing to do,” but by then, the damage had been done. Reports suggested that he could face a seven-month ban, but the disciplinary body of Ligue 1 decided on an even harsher punishment.
Vu la jurisprudence “Pablo Longoria”, Paulo Fonseca va prendre 30 matchs de suspension. pic.twitter.com/lLn5fYbmVb
— Salim Lamrani (@SalimLamraniOff) March 2, 2025
Massive suspension: Career in jeopardy?
On March 5, the LFP’s disciplinary commission handed Fonseca a massive nine-month suspension, ruling him out until November 30, 2025. This means he will not be allowed to sit on the bench for any official matches during this period. Additionally, he is prohibited from entering the locker room before and after matches until September 15, 2025.
The verdict is one of the most severe managerial bans in recent memory. Fonseca’s past disciplinary issues, including his outbursts in Serie A, contributed to the length of the suspension. His aggressive confrontation with Millot was deemed unacceptable, leading to a punishment that could have long-term ramifications for his coaching career.
