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Paulo Fonseca recounts “difficult” spell at Roma

Andy Mattioli
I

Former Roma manager Paulo Fonseca – currently in charge of Ligue 1 club Lille – spoke to Sky Sport about the numerous challenges he was faced with upon arriving in the Italian capital.

Among other things, the Portuguese technician indicated the ownership change and Gianluca Petrachi’s brief spell as sporting director as contributing factors to a challenging two years with the Giallorossi.

“When Mourinho signed with Roma, we exchanged messages. He was very honest with me,” Fonseca said.

“Tiago Pinto is someone I have great admiration for, he’s doing a very good job at the club. I experienced a difficult time with Roma, the Friedkins took over and we had no sporting director in place. Everything was new to them and they’d never worked in football.”

“I had no one to talk to or get advice from before Pinto’s arrival,” Fonseca added. “In the meantime, the Friedkins brought enthusiasm, wanting to create a new project they appointed Mourinho who is a manager who’s won plenty of trophies.”

“Roma fans? They’re still very fond of me. When the war in Ukraine broke out and I was living there, so many Roma supporters reached out to me. Still to this day I receive their messages, it’s impressive.”

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