Roma announce Paulo Fonseca will LEAVE at the end of the season

Roma announce Paulo Fonseca will LEAVE at the end of the season just days before their Europa League semi-final second leg against Man United… with ex-Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri the favourite to replace him

  • Roma have announced Paulo Fonseca will leave the club at the end of the season
  • The announcement comes just two days before Roma play Manchester United
  • Roma have struggled in Serie A and are in seventh place with four games to play
  • Former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is reportedly the favourite to take over

Roma have announced that manager Paulo Fonseca will leave the club at the end of the season with former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri reportedly the favourite to take over.

The announcement comes just two days before Roma host Manchester United in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final. 

Roma, who trail Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side 6-2 after last week’s first leg at Old Trafford, have struggled in Serie A and are in seventh place with four games to play. 

Roma have announced manager Paulo Fonseca will leave the club at the end of the season

Former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is reportedly the favourite to take over in Rome

Former Napoli, Chelsea and Juventus boss Sarri is reportedly Roma’s top choice to replace Fonseca at the Stadio Olimpico.

Fonseca is currently in his second season at Roma, having previously coached Shakhtar Donetsk.

A statement read: ‘Paulo led the team through several challenges, including the Covid pandemic and a change of ownership. He did it with generosity, fairness and a great personality.’

According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, the possibility of dismissing Fonseca immediately had been discussed but he has been given until the end of the season.  

Fonseca is currently in his second year at Roma, having previously coached Shakhtar Donetsk

Roma have struggled in Serie A this season and are in seventh place with four games to play

Next season’s coach will be chosen directly by American owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin. 

Sporting director Tiago Pinto has already put forward two potential names from overseas – Porto’s Sergio Conceicao and Ruben Amorim of Sporting Lisbon.

However, it is thought neither are thought of as the ideal solution for Italian football with its tactical emphasis.

Reports in Italy claim Sarri has already reached a definitive agreement with the club after talks with his agent.

Sarri left Juventus last year, despite winning Serie A

Sarri is desperate to return to the dugout and views the task of turning Roma’s fortunes around as a similar project to the one he inherited at Napoli. His contract with Juventus is still active but expires on May 31.  

In a statement, Fonseca added: ‘In these two years we have experienced ups and downs, but I have always given my best for this club and for this city, which has welcomed me very well.

‘I want to thank all the Roma fans, the people who work with us in Trigoria, the players, those who have supported us on this path, in particular Dan and Ryan Friedkin for their continued support since they arrived and Tiago Pinto.

‘He is a very good professional and I wish him the best for his career in this club. We still have very important matches to win this season and we will give our best as always. Thank you Roma.’ 




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