Paulo Fonseca: We were a great team
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
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Paulo Fonseca reflects on the years he spent at Shakhtar
I remember the day when I flew to Kyiv to sign a contract with Shakhtar. Some mind-blowing motivation, the will to win and excitement before the unknown - a new country, new people, everything around was alien and unfamiliar. Three years have passed. Today I resign my position, leaving my family at Shakhtar, and leaving my second home in Ukraine.
Ukraine gave me a lot: here we claimed victories and won trophies, here I got some unique experience. But the main thing that I acquired here is people. The people who were by my side every day, they believed in me and supported me.
I am grateful to the president Rinat Akhmetov for his wisdom and assistance in everything. I am grateful to my players - we taught each other many things, without a doubt, credit for my success goes to each of you. I am immensely grateful to the fans - guys, you are the power! I am grateful to everyone standing behind Shakhtar's crest: club directors, doctors, chefs, masseurs, kitmen. I say thank you to everyone today. We were a great team and I will never forget you.
I am proud of the time I spent at Shakhtar. The only thing I regret is that I’ve never seen the Donbass Arena and haven’t felt the incredible atmosphere of the home stands, which I had heard so much about. The heart of Shakhtar is in Donetsk, and I feel sorry about not having played there.
Leaving, I wish Shakhtar to return home. I wish them to continue winning and to get just stronger. I am no longer the Shakhtar manager, but I am still a big fan of theirs. At each game, I will root for the Orange-and-Black Family and look forward to more victories.
I accept the new challenge. But Ukraine will forever remain in my heart. My son was born here, I have spent three happy years here. I don’t say ‘Goodbye’, I say ‘See you later’.
Affectionately yours,
Paulo Fonseca
Ukraine gave me a lot: here we claimed victories and won trophies, here I got some unique experience. But the main thing that I acquired here is people. The people who were by my side every day, they believed in me and supported me.
I am grateful to the president Rinat Akhmetov for his wisdom and assistance in everything. I am grateful to my players - we taught each other many things, without a doubt, credit for my success goes to each of you. I am immensely grateful to the fans - guys, you are the power! I am grateful to everyone standing behind Shakhtar's crest: club directors, doctors, chefs, masseurs, kitmen. I say thank you to everyone today. We were a great team and I will never forget you.
I am proud of the time I spent at Shakhtar. The only thing I regret is that I’ve never seen the Donbass Arena and haven’t felt the incredible atmosphere of the home stands, which I had heard so much about. The heart of Shakhtar is in Donetsk, and I feel sorry about not having played there.
Leaving, I wish Shakhtar to return home. I wish them to continue winning and to get just stronger. I am no longer the Shakhtar manager, but I am still a big fan of theirs. At each game, I will root for the Orange-and-Black Family and look forward to more victories.
I accept the new challenge. But Ukraine will forever remain in my heart. My son was born here, I have spent three happy years here. I don’t say ‘Goodbye’, I say ‘See you later’.
Affectionately yours,
Paulo Fonseca