There is a new favourite for the Sheffield Wedsnesday job and that is Paulo Fonseca. The Owls are looking to swiftly replace Carlos Carvalhal, but who is Fonseca?
The 44 year-old is currently the manager of Ukrainian giants Shaktar Donetsk, of who he joined in the summer of 2016. He guided them to the Ukrainian Premier League title, the Ukrainian Cup and the Ukrainian Super Cup in his first season as well as winning the Manager (Coach) of the Season award.
Before taking over at Shaktar Donetsk. Fonseca had spent the whole of his career in Portugal. In fact, even all his playing career was spent there. As a player, Fonseca was a centre-back and played for the likes of Porto, Belenenses and Barreirense.
Despite being only 44, Fonseca has managed 9 different clubs, 8 of who play their football in Portugal. His first job as a coach was a youth coach at Estrela da Amadora, where he stayed for 2 years. He then had spells at lower league sides Dezembro, Odivelas and Pinhalnovense before getting his first job at a professional club when he joined Aves in 2011.
He guided Aves to 3rd in the second division and narrowly missed out on promotion. He was then snapped up by first division side Paços de Ferreira in 2012 and he took them to the Champions League for the first time in their history.
Fonseca’s achievements at Aves and Pacos de Ferreira attracted the attention of Porto in 2013. However, his spell there ended after just 7 months as he was sacked after a poor start. Another spell at Pacos de Ferreira and Braga have followed for Fonseca. He won the Domestic Cup (Taca de Portugal) and finished 4th with Braga in 2016 before he moved to Shaktar Donetsk.
