AS Roma coach Fonseca to leave job at the end of season

AS Roma coach Paulo Fonseca [Reuters, Alberto Lingria]

Italian football club AS Roma have confirmed head coach Paulo Fonseca will leave his role at the end of the season.

This decision comes at a time when the club is still reeling from the shock 6-2 defeat away to Manchester United in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final.

Fonseca joined Roma on a two-year contract in 2019, off the back of winning the Ukrainian league and cup double during his three seasons there.

“On behalf of everyone at AS Roma, we would like to thank Paulo Fonseca for his hard work and leadership over the past two years,” said club chairman Dan Friedkin. 

The club can confirm that head coach Paulo Fonseca will leave at the end of the season.
#ASRoma

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) May 4, 2021

Paulo guided the team through many challenges, including the Covid pandemic and a change of ownership, and did so with selfless integrity and great character.

We wish him all the best for his future endeavours and know that he will be a great asset wherever he goes,” said the club on their website.

 “I would like to thank Paulo for all his work for the club over the last two seasons. Even if the results have not always been there on the pitch, we know that he has left many positive elements that will continue to help our development - like the many talented and young players he has encouraged and improved, and our progress in the Europa League this season. We are building a path to success at Roma, and Paulo has played an important role in that,” said Tiago Pinto, the club’s General Manager.

Fonseca has also had spells at Portuguese clubs Sporting Braga, Porto and Pacos Ferreira.

The manager expressed gratitude for having served at the club and wished the club well.

“Over these last two years we have experienced a number of highs and lows, but I have always given my all for this club and this city - a city that has always been so welcoming. I would like to thank the Roma fans, everyone we have worked with at Trigoria, the players, and all those who have helped us during this journey - in particular Dan and Ryan Friedkin, for their continuous support, since they arrived, and Tiago Pinto, an incredible professional, whom I wish the best as he continues his work for the club. We still have some very important games in front of us this season that we want to win, and we will continue to give our all in order to do so,” said Fonseca.

Roma play Manchester United at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday, 10:00 pm East African Time.