Previously spent by Porto, Donetsk or even Roma, the Portuguese technician has signed up for two seasons in favor of the 2021 French champion.
Portuguese Paulo Fonseca (49) has been appointed coach of Lille (L1) after the dismissal of Jocelyn Gourvennec, the northern club announced on Wednesday in a press release published on its website. The former manager of FC Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and AS Roma has signed a two-year contract, said Losc, who finished 10th in Ligue 1 last season, a year after winning an unexpected title of champion. He will be accompanied in the North by Tiago Leal (assistant coach), Paulo Mourão (physical trainer) and Antonio Ferreira (goalkeeping coach). Already present at the club, Jorge Maciel will also be assistant coach.
Expected for a fortnight, when his name began to circulate in the press of his country, the arrival of Fonseca must revive a club which remains on a disappointing season. While he had been crowned champion in 2021, Losc did not fulfill his objectives, finishing far from the top 5, synonymous with European qualification. This mediocre record cost Gourvennec his place, dismissed two weeks ago despite the qualification of the Mastiffs for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Reconstruction
It is in a context of reconstruction, with the departure of many players including Dutch defender Sven Botman for Newcastle and the expected departure of midfielder Renato Sanches (courted by AC Milan and especially PSG), that the Portuguese arrives for facing one of the biggest challenges of his career.
«Becoming the new coach of Losc is a source of pride and a great honor for me. I am aware that having been chosen to join this great French club, with its rich history and impressive track record, also gives me a great responsibility.Fonseca said, as quoted in the club’s statement. “His experience at the top European level, his game philosophy and his sense of management make us approach this new collaboration with great enthusiasm and ambition.“, for his part underlined Olivier Létang, the president of Losc.
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