July 6 – Fluminense coach Fernando Diniz will be Brazil’s new head coach on a one-year contract, serving as an interim ahead of the reported arrival of Carlo Ancelotti, who will fulfil his contractual obligations at Real Madrid despite failing to win La Liga or the Champions League last season.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) had been under pressure to resolve the national team coaching situation, after Tite’s World Cup exit and the disappointing results in 2023 under interim coach Ramon Menezes, the U-20 coach.
CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues confirmed that Diniz will take care of the Seleçao until the 2024 Copa America when Carlo Ancelotti is supposed to step in.
“Fernando Diniz’s choice is based on a career of two trainers that I most admire,” said Rodrigues. “Game style, his way and what we heard from players and manager. They manifest respect and admiration for him.”
“We don’t call (Diniz) an interim coach of the national team. He will come and make the transition in Brazil for Ancelotti,” said Rodrigues, arguing that Diniz’s “game plan is almost similar to that of the coach that will take over at Copa America, Ancelotti.”
That’s of course not true. One of few Brazilian coaches with interesting ideas, Diniz is known for his daring, attacking philosophy that often borders on the anarchic. He was among the leading candidates for the long term role. Whatever he will build during his spell could be dismantled by Ancelotti who is more of a coaching pragmatist.
“I don’t know Ancelotti, but I have total autonomy and freedom to do things on the field,” said Diniz. “There will be no interference.”
He will lead Brazil when the five-time world champions kick off their qualifying campaign against Bolivia. Diniz dismissed the notion that his role with the national team is a conflict of interest as manager of Fluminense.
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