Paulo Fonseca named as Shakhtar Donetsk head coach

Newly appointed coach of Ukrainian soccer club Shakhtar Donetsk, Paulo Fonseca speaks during a news conference in Kiev, Ukraine, June 1, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

KIEV - Ukrainian soccer club Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday has officially presented a Portuguese manager Paulo Fonseca as their new first team coach.

The former SC Braga and FC Porto manager joined the Ukrainian side on a two-year deal following the resignation of Shakhtar' s longtime coach Mircea Lucescu.

Speaking during his presentation ceremony, Fonseca said that he was happy and proud to lead the team from Donetsk.

"I think that taking into consideration the entire club structure, together we will be able to do a great job. I am fully ready for that, really looking forward to proceeding to my duties," Fonseca told reporters.

Among his main targets on the post of the Shakhtar head coach, Portuguese manager listed clinching the Ukrainian Championship title and carrying out an "excellent" European club cup campaign.

The 43-year-old Fonseca was a central defender in Portuguese clubs Estrela da Amadora and Vitoria de Guimaraes.

During his coaching career, Fonseca won the Portuguese Super Cup with Porto in 2013 and Portuguese Cup with Braga this year.

Lucescu, who coached Shakhtar for 12 years, resigned last month to take charge of Russia's Zenit St. Petersburg.