Paulo Fonseca: “I felt a lot of emotion against Auxerre”

The 49-year-old Portuguese is known for his ability to make his teams play well, and he explains that for him this philosophy is a prerequisite to his approach to football. More than winning, although that is also important. It is necessary to entertain the fans and spectators who come to the stadium: “I think we have an obligation as coaches. The game is a show, it’s entertainment. When people come to watch a match, they have to see beautiful things. Even me, as a fan, if I decide to go to the stadium and not watch a good match, it’s like I’m going to watch a concert.” And I don’t like what I see: I’m going. What we want to see is what makes us happy. I want to win but not only. I want my children to watch the games with passion and pleasure. Do I earn more than others? I don’t know. But I think this way of playing makes us win more. For me Either you build something that gives you pleasure, that you believe in, or it’s better to change your job. I don’t want to be the messenger of the outcome. I feel obligated to myself because I love the game.”

Paulo Fonseca has lived without a job since his contract with Roma expired in the summer of 2021, a year without training before becoming the new coach of Lusk. A break that increased his emotions upon his return to the official competition last Sunday against Auxerre: “Did you ever cry for football? Yes, but more in the happy times. The last time? I can’t say that I cried but I felt a lot of emotion in the last game (against Auxerre, 4-1, Sunday). When I sat on the bench before The match and the fans started screaming, I said to Tiago (Lil): “I really missed it.” In hard times, I have never cried in my life. But in those moments, with the fans… I can go to a concert and see a whole stadium full, It moves me. When I talk about feelings, I find it very difficult. For example if I have to receive an award. I inherited that from my father.”