Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 12:08 PM• Yanick Vos

Paulo Fonseca is in his last weeks as a trainer of AS Roma. The club confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the coach will leave after this season. The Portuguese trainer’s expiring contract will not be extended. “On behalf of AS Roma, I would like to thank Paulo Fonseca for his work and leadership over the past two years,” said Chairman Dan Friedkin on the club website. It is still unknown who will succeed Fonseca at the Stadio Olimpico.

Fonseca moved from Shakhtar Donetsk to Roma in 2019, where he signed a two-year deal. The ex-trainer of FC Porto, among others, had been under fire for a long time this season because of disappointing performances in the Serie A. In the Europa League, the semi-finals were reached at the expense of Ajax. Due to a 6-2 defeat in the first leg of the semi-final against Manchester United, a final place has been lost. The return is scheduled for next Thursday.

“In the past two years we have experienced several highs and lows,” says the outgoing trainer. “I have always given everything for the club and the city. I would like to thank all the Roma fans, everyone I have worked with, the players and everyone who has assisted us during this journey. ” Fonseca and his coaching staff complete the season. After Thursday’s match against Manchester United, league matches will follow with Crotone (home), Internazionale (away), Lazio (home) and Spezia (away).

According to Italian media, a dismissal has been in the air in recent days. Reportedly, four interim trainers were ready to take over from him. According to Il Messaggero Bruno Conti, Morgan De Sanctis, Fabrizio Piccareta and Alberto De Rossi were featured as temporary replacements. Roma are in seventh place in Serie A, 27 points behind national champions Internazionale. Fonseca’s team only took four points from the past five league games.