Fluminense’s Fernando Diniz has been named interim manager of Brazil’s national team while they wait for Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Diniz, 49, reached an agreement on Tuesday with Brazil’s Football Confederation (CBF) to guide the national team for one year, while simultaneously keeping his role with club side Fluminense.
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“It’s a dream for anyone, an honor and an enormous pride to be able to serve the national team,” Diniz said after the announcement. “In fact it is a call up, a joint work of the CBF with Fluminense. I am very convinced that we can take this forward and make it work.”
CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues recently said Ancelotti, who is under contract with Real Madrid until June 2024, remains their number one choice to guide the national team through the 2026 World Cup.
Despite receiving strong interest from Brazil in recent months, Ancelotti reiterated his desire to continue as coach of Real Madrid until his contract expires.
Five-time World Cup winners Brazil have been without a full-time coach since Tite’s resignation following their quarterfinal exit at the 2022 world Cup in December. Brazil’s U20 coach Ramon Menezes has guided the national team since then.
Diniz has been at Fluminense since April 2022 and is under contract with the Brazilian club through Dec. 2024. He will make his Brazil coaching debut in their opening World Cup qualifier at home to Bolivia on Sept. 4.
Brazil will play a further five World Cup qualifying matches between September and November 2023, followed by a break until September 2024. Plans have also been announced for a friendly with Spain in March 2024.
The Copa America is due to take place between June and July 2024, in the United States, and the CBF are hoping to have Ancelotti on board by then.
The Italian manager has guided Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Madrid in a 28-year managerial career — becoming the only coach to win four Champions Leagues — but has never taken charge of a national team.
