Paulo Fonseca has spoken multiple times about how he almost became manager of Tottenham Hotspur, and has done so again, making it clear he still fancies a go at managing in the Premier League.
In a big interview with Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, the current Lille manager was asked about his sabbatical from football following his stint with AS Roma, and that’s when he brought up the Spurs opportunity.
O Jogo quote him as saying: “When I left Roma, it’s no secret that everything was agreed with Tottenham, but things didn’t materialise. There were invitations but I decided it was a year that I should take.”
The Portuguese newspaper say Fonseca was absolutely meant to be Jorge Mourinho’s successor at the London club, but the opportunity was scuppered by changes in the Tottenham hierarchy.
Fabio Paratici’s arrival ‘completely changed the outcome’, and therefore the manager is still to experience English football.
Fonseca elaborated on his regret, saying: “It has always fascinated me and I would love to have this experience. But I say it without obsession because I’m in a high-quality championship. Continuing in France makes me feel fulfilled but England is England, all coaches would love to have that experience.
“I regretted this outcome, things were all right but the arrival of a certain person changed everything. I was a little frustrated that I didn’t have the chance to coach this big club and get into the Premier League. But I look little at the past, I look at the present and the future. I’m very happy where I am.”
Lille are currently sixth in Ligue 1 and Fonseca will likely have to do a bit better if he’s going to attract a big club in the Premier League in the near future.
That Tottenham chance, however, seems long gone and probably won’t come around again.
