Paulo Fonseca leaves Shakhtar Donetsk

"FC Shakhtar thanks Paulo Fonseca and his coaching staff for their excellent work. We wish them every success in their further career, more outstanding achievements, and great victories!" the report reads.

"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'," Fonseca said.

After taking the helm at Shakhtar on June 1, 2016, over three years Paulo has become one of the most successful coaches in the club’s history. With the team, he claimed three golden doubles and brought the absolute leadership in Ukrainian football back to Shakhtar. Over the years, the Orange-and-Blacks won three league titles, raised three Ukrainian Cups and secured a Ukrainian Super Cup.

Symbolically, Paulo leaves his post undefeated - with him at the helm, Shakhtar won all cup meetings and had an unbeaten run of 29 league games. In total, under the leadership of Fonseca, the team had 139 games, winning 103 of them.

op