Brazil’s interim coach, Fernando Diniz, was dismissed on Friday by the country’s soccer federation (CBF), ending his tenure with the five-time World Cup winners. This decision comes after the recent reinstatement of CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues by Brazil’s Supreme Court. Rodrigues and his executives had been temporarily removed from their positions due to a ruling on irregularities in the 2022 election process. The timing of Diniz’s dismissal indicates that the CBF is eager to move forward and find a permanent replacement for former head coach Tite, who resigned after Brazil’s quarterfinal exit at the 2022 World Cup.
According to sources, São Paulo coach Dorival Junior is currently the front-runner to take over as Brazil’s permanent head coach. The CBF president has already been in contact with São Paulo president Julio Casares regarding this matter. However, São Paulo is not willing to let their coach leave without compensation. They have requested the CBF to pay a termination fee of approximately R$4.5 million ($920,000) to release Dorival from his contract. The negotiations surrounding this potential appointment highlight the importance and competitiveness of the coaching role in Brazilian soccer.
Initially, the CBF had hoped to secure Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti as their new head coach after the expiration of his contract with the Spanish club. They had even hired Diniz as an interim coach, confident that Ancelotti would become available in the summer. However, Ancelotti surprised everyone by signing a new contract with Madrid, extending his stay until 2026. This unexpected development left the CBF with the need to reassess their options and find a different candidate for the role.
During his time as Brazil’s interim coach, Diniz also continued as the head coach of Fluminense. In November, he guided the club to victory in the Copa Libertadores, showcasing his abilities as a coach. However, his tenure with the national team had a disappointing start. Brazil has suffered three losses in their first six matches of the qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup. As a result, they currently sit in sixth place in the standings. Only the top six teams from South America qualify automatically, with the seventh-place team entering a playoff. Diniz’s inability to deliver consistent results may have contributed to the CBF’s decision to terminate his contract.
Diniz’s contract was set to expire just before the 2024 Copa America, which will be hosted by the United States from June 20 onwards. With his dismissal, Brazil needs to find a replacement who can swiftly adapt to the team dynamics and improve their chances of success in the tournament. The CBF’s task of appointing a permanent head coach has become even more urgent. The new coach will need to establish a clear vision for the team and guide them back to their winning ways in order to restore Brazil’s reputation as a soccer powerhouse.
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