Fonseca: ‘I deserved more time’ at AC Milan in 2024-25 – breaking

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 15: Paulo Fonseca, Head Coach of AC Milan, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 15, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Paulo Fonseca says he ‘enjoyed’ his short spell at Milan, but feels he ‘deserved more time’ to ‘change the game’ at San Siro.

Ex-Milan coach Fonseca says he deserved more time at San Siro.

Fonseca was hired to replace Stefano Pioli in the summer of 2024, but he was sacked after the last game of the year against Roma.

Fonseca ‘deserved more time’ at Milan

When Fonseca left Milan, the team was sitting 8th in the standings with 27 points.

“I deserved more time. Milan is an amazing club and I enjoyed it a lot. I’m really sorry I didn’t have time — their proposal was to change the game (to a more expansive style),” Fonseca told The Athletic.

“To change one thing they had for so many years is not easy; you need time, especially in Italy, where it’s even more difficult, almost impossible.

“We had amazing games, playing really good football. We needed to be more consistent, it’s true, but to change something in Italy is really difficult.”

Fonseca was replaced by his compatriot Sergio Conceiçao, but even under Conceiçao’s tenure, the Rossoneri still failed to qualify for Europe and lost the Coppa Italia final against Bologna.

Fonsca had previously coached Roma in Serie A, and his experience in Italy’s top flight has made him develop as a coach.

“I’m better now defensively, because I learned a lot in Italy,” he said.

“In Ukraine, I learned a lot how to play in the last 30 metres because I had that scenario all the time, and that’s the hardest thing in football.

“I love being in France. The championship here is amazing, with modern stadiums that are full, and a lot of quality players and very good coaches. I love that the game here is open and players love to play.”

Fonseca is now in charge of Ligue 1 side Lyon who sit third in the standings, seven points below table leaders Lens.

Fonseca, 52, has won 46 Serie A games out of 93, drawing 21 and losing 26.

He completed two seasons at Roma, finishing fifth in 2019-20 and seventh in 2020-21.