Everton managerial target Paulo Fonseca has revealed why he turned down the chance to move to Merseyside in favour of remaining at Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Portuguese tactician admitted he had been tempted to take over from Sam Allardyce at Goodison Park, but ultimately decided to stay in Ukraine for the time being.
With two years in Donetsk already under his belt, a fresh two-year deal for Fonseca will keep him at the Metalist Stadium until 2020, and the 45-year-old revealed what persuaded him to stay faithful to Shakhtar:
Over the two seasons, we’ve won almost everything in Ukraine,
This year, we’ve also had a great Champions League campaign, which made me somewhat more famous abroad.
Shakhtar progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League, eventually being knocked out on away goals to eventual semi-finalists AS Roma.
The former Porto manager reiterated his happiness with his current situation:
I understood that I wanted to continue this project – to work at the club who received me very well.
I feel great in this country, they respect me here. I have a special relationship with all people, and it’s clear that I wanted to continue working here.
I feel great in this country, they respect me here. I have a special relationship with all people, and it’s clear that I wanted to continue working here.
Everton’s search for Allardyce’s successor draws on.
