West Ham United’s pursuit of a new manager is stepping up a notch with reports from France claiming that the Premier League outfit have ‘approached’ the agent of Lille coach – and Crystal Palace target – Paulo Fonseca.
The 2021 Ligue 1 champions will not let their much-admired head coach go without a fight, however.
Fonseca has only been at Lille for one season. And while Champions League qualification is still an uphill challenge, the former Roma, Shakhtar Donetsk and Porto boss has won the hearts and minds of many supporters with his attractive, attacking, free-form football.
Only Monaco, Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain have scored more goals than Lille in 2022/23.
With things going slightly stale under David Moyes – recent resurgence aside – The Guardian believe that Fonseca has been lined up as a ‘potential replacement’. Thus, putting the Hammers on collision course with London neighbours Crystal Palace.
Palace are also looking for a new head coach; Roy Hodgson’s short-term deal expiring at the end of this season. Owner Steve Parish, on Thursday, rejected claims that Palace were closing in on the appointment of 53-year-old Austrian Adi Hutter.
West Ham and Crystal Palace like Paulo Fonseca
As things stand, West Ham appear further ahead than Crystal Palace in the race for Fonseca.
Foot Mercato reporter Santi Arouna writes that his agent, Marco Abreu, has been approached by West Ham. To combat this, Lille plan to offer the 50-year-old Portuguese a new and presumably improved contract. Fonseca’s current deal runs until 2024.
Labelled an ‘extraordinary’ tactician by France and Premier League legend Thierry Henry, Fonseca’s proactive approach would be well received by many West Ham fans tired of Moyes’ perceived pragmatism. The likes of Lucas Paqueta and Gianluca Scamacca – big money summer signings struggling for consistency under the Scot – may be revitalised by Fonseca’s appointment.
“Sometimes, things are too serious,” Fonseca tells the Ligue 1 website.
“Sometimes, you need to also make the people smile. I take pleasure in my profession.”
Fonseca has picked up nine trophies during his managerial career. Including a trio of Ukrainian Premier League titles at Shakhtar Donetsk.
West Ham have also been linked with Feyenoord’s Arne Slot and even Jose Mourinho. Reims boss Will Still – a boyhood Hammers fans – has been quizzed about the prospect of taking over from Moyes too.
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