Paulo Fonseca has decided to leave Serie A giants Roma at the end of this season with two Premier League clubs making offers for the Crystal Palace-linked manager, as reported by Calciomercato.
The phrase ‘jump before he was pushed’ springs to mind.
Fonseca’s second season at the Stadio Olimpico has hardly been a disaster – Roma are still in sight of the top four while well placed to reach the Europa League semi-finals – but major divisions behind the scenes are impossible to ignore.
The former Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk boss found himself at the heart of an unseemly row with the talismanic Edin Dzeko a few months ago – one that almost resulted in the Bosnian’s departure during the January transfer window.
But that, it seems, is just the tip of the iceberg.
And, according to reports, Fonseca will walk away from the Giallorossi when his contract expires in a matter of weeks – even if he succeeds in leading Roma into the Champions League places.
Last week, Calciomercato reported Crystal Palace had opened talks with 48-year-old Fonseca’s representatives.
And while the new claims make no direct mention of Palacet, they do say Fonseca has offers from two Premier League clubs.
The stylish Iberian, who has lifted nine trophies during his managerial career, is also one of the favourites to replace Wolves-linked Gennaro Gattuso at Napoli.
Frank Lampard, Eddie Howe and Sean Dyche have also been linked with the Crystal Palace job as Roy Hodgson faces an uncertain future.
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