Paulo Fonseca has admitted he would still love to join the Premier League.
Speaking to O Jogo (via Sport Witness), the Lille manager revealed that he regrets not taking the job at Tottenham Hotspur following Jose Mourinho’s departure.
Fonseca led Roma to the Europa League semi-finals before leaving the club in May 2021 and was later in negotiations to take Mourinho’s place in North London.
The 50-year-old came extremely close to being appointed Tottenham‘s new manager before Fabio Paratici pulled out of the deal due to concerns over his attacking style of football.
Fonseca went onto enjoy a year sabbatical before joining Lille last summer, finishing fifth in Ligue 1.
After coming so close to joining Spurs, as well as being linked to Newcastle United and Aston Villa, Fonseca has now shared his regret at not moving to the Premier League.
Paulo Fonseca ‘regrets’ not joining Tottenham in 2021
Speaking to O Jogo, the manager said: “When I left Roma, it’s no secret that everything was agreed with Tottenham, but things didn’t materialise. There were invitations but I decided it was a year that I should take.
“It has always fascinated me and I would love to have this experience. But I say it without obsession because I’m in a high-quality championship. Continuing in France makes me feel fulfilled but England is England, all coaches would love to have that experience.
“I regretted this outcome, things were all right but the arrival of a certain person changed everything. I was a little frustrated that I didn’t have the chance to coach this big club and get into the Premier League. But I look little at the past, I look at the present and the future. I’m very happy where I am.”
With Tottenham reportedly eager to bring in a more defensive-minded coach, they eventually chose to appoint Nuno Espirito Santo instead. The former Wolves boss lasted only five months before he was sacked, with Spurs sitting nineth in the Premier League.
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