Former Roma boss appointed by Lille

Lille have named former Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma boss Paulo Fonseca as their new coach on a two-year deal, the Ligue 1 club said on Wednesday. The 49-year-old Portuguese replaces Jocelyn Gourvennec who was dismissed after just one season in charge.

"Becoming the new coach of LOSC is a proud moment and a big honour for me. I'm happy to begin this adventure and eager to get to work with the staff and the players. I'm extremely motivated and determined to make sure we achieve the objectives set and take the club to the highest level" said Fonseca.

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The Portuguese has been out of work for the past year, as Roma decided at the end of last season not to extend his contract with him. Fonseca started his coaching career with Portuguese lower league clubs, but he caught the attention of the local football public when he led Ferreira to a historic third place in the 2012/13 season. Immediately afterwards, he was hired by Porto, and a year later he returned to Ferreira after he disappointed at Dragau (he only won the Portuguese Super Cup). A one-year mandate in Braga followed, and three seasons on the bench of Shakhtar Donetsk, with which he won three consecutive double crowns. He had no success in Roma, he finished the first season in fifth and the second in seventh place.

Fonseca will be tasked with revitalizing a club that finished 10th last season, just a year after beating Paris Saint-Germain to the French title. He inherits a rebuilding team, with Dutch defender Sven Botman set to join Newcastle and Portugal international Renato Sanches among several other players expected to leave.