Somebody’s happy: new Milan coach Paulo Fonseca makes no secret of the fact that Italy is something very special to him – and that he wants to imbue his Rossoneri with a special DNA
Paulo Fonseca has been the new Milan coach since mid-June. However, the Portuguese coach has only now been officially unveiled – and has spoken at length about his goals and his return to Italy.
As a reminder: the former central defender had already worked in Serie A between 2019 and 2021. At the AS Roma. Although there was no resounding success in the capital – the separation followed at the end of the 2020/21 season – the love for Italian soccer and the country had long since been rekindled.
Fonseca made this clear in his first in-depth interview with Milan TV: “I’m delighted with Italy, it’s a beautiful country. You always eat well, the people are full of emotion and fun.” This impression had already been firmly anchored in his mind during his time in the capital: “When I left Roma, I seriously considered staying in Italy permanently. I’m all the happier that I’m back now. “
Now perhaps to stay in Italy for a long time – according to the former coach of OSC Lille, Shakhtar Donetsk, Sporting Braga and FC Porto: “I’m married to a Ukrainian woman, I’ve lived in Mozambique, Portugal, Ukraine and France. All these experiences have enriched my life so far.” None, however, have been as lasting as the one in Italy.
“Milan is a global club that everyone around the world knows “
But what does it take to remain coach at Milan for years to come? Lasting success like his predecessor Stefano Pioli, who brought the traditional club out of obscurity and led them to the 2022 Scudetto. Fonseca is well aware of this: “I feel a great responsibility on me, but also pride. When you end up at a club like Milan, the great history always resonates. Milan is a global club that everyone around the world knows. I too have always followed it and all its teams – and players like Gullit, Rijkaard, van Basten, Baresi, Costacurta, Maldini and Tassotti. “
It is also not difficult to “keep great memories of Milan’s history forever”. How does Fonseca now want to make new entries in the history books? With some impressive soccer that will make San Siro tremble with enthusiastic fans in the coming season: “I hope to build something here that unites us and forms us into a strong unit.”
The new AC coach also gives an insight into his own philosophy: “I think you have to take risks in life – that also means having the courage to be different. We coaches have an obligation to the people who love soccer.” It’s not just about winning, he says. “We have to create spectacle – and we need courage to do that. That’s my way of thinking. “
