Paulo Fonseca has reflected on his brief tenure at Milan, insisting he should have been granted more time to implement his ideas at San Siro.
A short-lived project at Milan
Fonseca arrived in the summer of 2024 as Stefano Pioli’s successor, tasked with reshaping the team’s approach. However, his spell in charge ended after the final match of the calendar year, a fixture against Roma. At the time of his dismissal, Milan occupied eighth place in the standings with 27 points.
Looking back, the Portuguese coach expressed disappointment at how quickly the project concluded. He described Milan as a fantastic institution and said he valued his experience there, but underlined that transforming a team’s long-established style requires patience. According to Fonseca, shifting to a more expansive brand of football — as outlined in the club’s proposal — was never going to be straightforward, particularly in Italy.
He acknowledged inconsistency during his time in charge, though he maintained that there were several performances in which the side displayed high-quality football. In his view, making substantial tactical adjustments in Serie A demands time that he was not afforded.
Aftermath and lessons from Italy
Fonseca was replaced by fellow Portuguese coach Sergio Conceiçao. Despite the change, Milan were unable to secure European qualification and were beaten by Bologna in the Coppa Italia final.
The 52-year-old believes his time in Italy contributed significantly to his development. He explained that his defensive understanding improved during his Serie A experience. Previously, in Ukraine, he had frequently encountered matches where his teams operated in the final third, which he described as one of football’s most challenging scenarios.
A new chapter in France
Now leading Lyon in Ligue 1, Fonseca says he is enjoying life in France. He praised the league for its vibrant atmosphere, modern venues, and the quality of players and coaches. He also highlighted the openness of the competition and the freedom with which teams express themselves.
Lyon currently sit third in the table, seven points behind leaders Lens.
Before his stint at Milan, Fonseca spent two seasons with Roma, finishing fifth in 2019-20 and seventh in 2020-21. Across 93 Serie A matches, he recorded 46 victories, 21 draws and 26 defeats.