José Fonte announces retirement

[CSA96]

Calls it a day at the age of 42 (was still playing regularly last season in the top division in Portugal!) and ends with 881 games for club and country. 50 caps for Portugal and won the Euros in 2016, his country's first trophy. More appearances for Southampton than any other club in his career (288 games and 15 goals in a Saints shirt)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DY4MpG_gAaA/

Edited 1 hour ago by CSA96

[Willo of Whiteley]

Superb career!

Great bloke! All the time in the world for him, professional from the start.

Wish him all the best in his retirement.

[hypochondriac]

I'd say qualifies as a saints legend. Was absolutely excellent for us. 

[Miltonaggro]

A rock-steady and superb skipper during our recent salad days from Adkins to Koeman.  Nostalgic I know, but can't help but feel the likes of Fonte and Romeu would provide character and superb coaching for the current second and first strings at Saints.  

[sfc4prem]

Saints legend. Top bloke as well. Wish him all the best with his retirement. Beautiful man.

[dsrdorset]

A legend for sure. Future Saints manager?

[bpsaint]

And Puel wouldn’t play him in the Europa league because he “couldn’t handle playing Thursdays and Sundays” ten years ago.

[Lighthouse]

2 minutes ago, bpsaint said:

And Puel wouldn’t play him in the Europa league because he “couldn’t handle playing Thursdays and Sundays” ten years ago.

There were many criticisms of Puel but that shouldn't be one of them IMO. I think our recent Romeu experience has shown beyond doubt the difference in intensity between English and continental football. Playing every minute of every game in the PL and Europe is a lot to ask of a 33 year old.

That being said, he's had a fantasic career and is fully deserving of the title 'European Champion' from 2016.

[bpsaint]

3 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

There were many criticisms of Puel but that shouldn't be one of them IMO. I think our recent Romeu experience has shown beyond doubt the difference in intensity between English and continental football. Playing every minute of every game in the PL and Europe is a lot to ask of a 33 year old.

That being said, he's had a fantasic career and is fully deserving of the title 'European Champion' from 2016.

Fonte would go on to play in the champions league and manage playing in Europe midweek and then the weekend in the league quite comfortably.

He was being punished for considering moving away from the club following the Euros win that summer. It’s ridiculous but typically Saintsy that we wouldn’t play one of our best players in Europe and go out at the first hurdle.

[Mr Saints]

What a player. Must go down as one of our greatest ever signings based on value for money.

[trousers]

Does he have any coaching badges and fancy stepping in for a banned manager for 6 months...

[Saint_clark]

10 years after Saints decided he was past it. Good job lads. 

What an absolute monumental legend. Should be much higher regarded in the game.

[Pilchards]

Had a lengthy interview on TalkSPORT earlier.

Said the punishment did not fit the crime and he currently has his level 3 badge for coaching.

He is very interested in talking up a managerial role in England and his ambition is to manage in the premiership.

He speaks very, very highly of Southampton and it’s one of those that you know Lampard will manage Chelsea one day and the same goes for Jose at Southampton.

 

[DrSuess1979]

Definitely legend status 

Brighton goal and celebration alone!! 

[S-Clarke]

A great player for us, a leader throughout all the teams, even before he was the captain. He was one of the players people felt would struggle with the PL step up, more so than Jos, but it was totally opposite. 

He was a cultured CB and matured into one of the best leaders we've had. I hated the way it ended, but he'll never have a bad word echoed about him at Southampton.

[spyinthesky]

Just the think, JF agreed to move from a Championship club to League One Saints, albeit as a consequence of a £1m transfer fee.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

54 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

There were many criticisms of Puel but that shouldn't be one of them IMO. I think our recent Romeu experience has shown beyond doubt the difference in intensity between English and continental football. Playing every minute of every game in the PL and Europe is a lot to ask of a 33 year old.

That being said, he's had a fantasic career and is fully deserving of the title 'European Champion' from 2016.

I disagree that he couldn’t play both. But if that was the case we should’ve prioritised Europe IMO. How long will it be until we see Saints in Europe again?

Either way, Jose is a saints legend. 

[Maggie May]

35 minutes ago, Pilchards said:

Had a lengthy interview on TalkSPORT earlier.

Said the punishment did not fit the crime and he currently has his level 3 badge for coaching.

He is very interested in talking up a managerial role in England and his ambition is to manage in the premiership.

He speaks very, very highly of Southampton and it’s one of those that you know Lampard will manage Chelsea one day and the same goes for Jose at Southampton.

 

That’s good to hear coming from a pro. I hope the court of public opinion starts swaying in favour towards us soon, especially if Boro continue to whine on and on about it.