Roma owners were extremely disappointed by the performance of the team in the Lazio match, to the point that they are evaluating the position of Paulo Fonseca, as they want to win a trophy over the next three years and are questioning whether he is really the right man for the job, Corriere dello Sport reported.
Dan and Ryan Friedkin completed the acquisition of the club from James Pallotta in August and are planning to make major investments to lift the club to another level. The manager will have his chances to win their confidence back in upcoming games, but they are expecting better results in the more difficult matches, an area the Giallorossi have struggled so far.
If Fonseca did not succeed in that purpose, the front office could decide to move on from him even though his expiring contract would automatically be extended if he qualifies to Champions League. An in-season switch is considered unlikely because the manager has a sizeable salary and due to fact that the team has generally been able to bounce back after losses.
The Rome-based outlet added that the management touched base with another coach before the September clash with Juventus, but they equalized in that occasion. The players instead are fully behind the current gaffer.
Our view
Fonseca is in a tough spot as the was hand-picked by the previous executives and that always tends to make the situation a little uncomfortable, as new regimes generally prefer to put their guy at the helm rather than inherit one. Roma have had troubles against elite competition, but they have also been remarkably consistent in easier tilts and have improved a lot during the coach’s short time on the bench.