Paulo Fonseca agrees two-year deal, becomes Tottenham’s new manager
By Gary Pearson
The wait for a manager has finally come to an end, with Tottenham Hotspur signing Paulo Fonseca on a two-year contract, according to the Telegraph.
The story has just broke and the Telegraph, piggybacked by the Mail Online, has confirmed the Portuguese manager’s appointment. The Telegraph also reports that Fonseca has agreed in principle to a two-year deal with the option of an additional year.
Fonseca was the first matter of important business for incoming sporting director Fabio Paratici, who had the former Roma manager in his crosshairs since taking over duties behind the scenes at Tottenham.
In ordinary circumstances this appointment would cause shockwaves across the football world, but Tottenham’s pursuit of a manager turned comical when the Antonio Conte negotiations broke down. Though there’s nothing funny about their decision to hire Fonseca.
Large sections of the supporter fanbase won’t be convinced that Fonseca is the man who can propel Spurs to their once-great heights. He has seen middling success as a manager, only winning trophies in the Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk, who he led to three successive league and cup doubles. He also led Braga to the domestic cup glory in the 2015-16, winning of the Taça de Portugal.
Fonseca takes over the reigns at Tottenham at a particularly tumultuous time, so hopefully the 48-year-old has what it takes to steady the ship and once again instil his new squad with a winning belief.
A lot of questions still remain unanswered, but Spurs’ long eight week search for a manager is now over. It was the longest period any team in the top leagues of Europe have gone without a manager.
Now the real business begins.
Fonseca and Paratici have a gargantuan task ahead, which begins with procuring the right players to strengthen the squad.
The Portuguese and Italian also have a lot to do to convince Tottenham’s supporters they have what it takes to restore faith and respect in the club that has since deviated troublesomely from the successful path they were previously on.