Fernando Diniz
Brazilian football manager (born 1974)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fernando Diniz Silva (born 27 March 1974) is a Brazilian professional football coach and former player who played as a midfielder. He is the current head coach of Corinthians.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Fernando Diniz Silva | ||
| Date of birth | 27 March 1974 | ||
| Place of birth | Patos de Minas, Brazil | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Corinthians (head coach) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1993–1996 | Juventus-SP | ||
| 1995 | → Guarani (loan) | 18 | (3) |
| 1996 | Palmeiras | 18 | (1) |
| 1997–1998 | Corinthians | 26 | (0) |
| 1998–2000 | Paraná | 52 | (6) |
| 2000–2003 | Fluminense | 72 | (4) |
| 2003 | Flamengo | 12 | (1) |
| 2004 | Juventude | 0 | (0) |
| 2004 | Cruzeiro | 8 | (0) |
| 2005 | Santos | 2 | (0) |
| 2006–2007 | Paulista | 19 | (3) |
| 2007 | Santo André | 17 | (1) |
| 2008 | Juventus-SP | 10 | (0) |
| 2008 | Gama | 1 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2009–2010 | Votoraty | ||
| 2010 | Paulista | ||
| 2011 | Botafogo-SP | ||
| 2012 | Atlético Sorocaba | ||
| 2013–2014 | Audax | ||
| 2014 | Guaratinguetá | ||
| 2015 | Audax | ||
| 2015 | Paraná | ||
| 2016 | Audax | ||
| 2016 | Oeste | ||
| 2017 | Audax | ||
| 2018 | Atlético Paranaense | ||
| 2019 | Fluminense | ||
| 2019–2021 | São Paulo | ||
| 2021 | Santos | ||
| 2021 | Vasco da Gama | ||
| 2022–2024 | Fluminense | ||
| 2023–2024 | Brazil (interim) | ||
| 2024–2025 | Cruzeiro | ||
| 2025–2026 | Vasco da Gama | ||
| 2026– | Corinthians | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Diniz is widely recognized in Brazil for his unique style of tactical structure, prioritizing ball control, and having something close to a modern style of Jogo Bonito. Initially compared to Pep Guardiola's tiki-taka, his style of play is described in Brazil as the Dinizismo.[1]
Playing career
Born in Patos de Minas, Minas Gerais, Diniz started his career with Juventus-SP in 1993. In 1996, he moved to Guarani, but agreed to a contract with Palmeiras shortly after.
In 1997, Diniz moved to Palmeiras' fierce rivals Corinthians, featuring regularly during his two-year spell at the club. He subsequently represented Paraná, Fluminense, Flamengo,[2] Juventude, Cruzeiro[3] and Santos,[4] all in the top tier.
In 2006, Diniz signed for Paulista, and later played for Santo André and Gama.[5] He retired with the latter in 2008, aged 34.
Coaching career
Early career
One year after retiring, Diniz was appointed head coach of lowly Votoraty,[6] where he was crowned champions of both Copa Paulista and Campeonato Paulista Série A3. In 2010 he moved to Paulista, club he already represented as a player, and won another Copa Paulista with the side.
On 5 February 2011, Diniz was named Botafogo-SP head coach,[7] but was fired after only four matches in charge.[8] He was appointed at the helm of Atlético Sorocaba in 2012. Despite achieving promotion from the Campeonato Paulista Série A2, he was relieved from his duties in October of that year.[9]
In 2013, Diniz joined Audax, and introduced the tiki-taka, style of Barcelona, in the club.[10][11] On 8 July 2015 he moved to another club he represented as a player, Paraná.[12][13]
Diniz returned to Audax for the 2016 Campeonato Paulista, which he managed to lead the side to the finals, but lost to Santos. Subsequently, he was appointed head coach of Oeste after a partnership between Oeste and Audax was established.[14][15]
Diniz returned to Audax for a third spell in 2017, but suffered relegation.
Atlético Paranaense
Diniz only returned to managerial duties in the following season; after being announced as head coach of Guarani in November 2017, he signed with Atlético Paranaense in January 2018.[16] He was dismissed from the team in June,[17] being subsequently replaced by under-23 coach Tiago Nunes.
Fluminense
On 19 December 2018, Diniz was appointed head coach of another club he represented as a player, Fluminense.[18] He was sacked by the club on 19 August 2019.[19]
São Paulo
Diniz took over São Paulo on 27 September 2019.[20] In the 2020 Série A, he led the club to a streak of 17 matches undefeated from September to December.[21]
In January 2021, during a 2–4 loss to Red Bull Bragantino, Diniz had an argument with Tchê Tchê which led to strong media criticism due to his way of speaking to the player.[22] On 1 February, after seven winless matches, he was sacked.[23]
Santos
On 6 May 2021, Diniz agreed to a one-year contract with Santos,[24] being officially named head coach the following day.[25] On 5 September, after six matches without winning, he was sacked by Peixe.[26]
Vasco da Gama
Four days after leaving Santos, Diniz was appointed at Vasco da Gama in the second division.[27] He was dismissed on 11 November 2021, after failing to achieve promotion.[28]
Fluminense return
Diniz returned to Fluminense on 30 April 2022, after Abel Braga resigned.[29] He won the 2023 Campeonato Carioca with the club, his first major trophy as a head coach.[30] He also led them to success in the 2023 Copa Libertadores by winning the final 2–1 against Boca Juniors.[31]
On 24 June 2024, Diniz was dismissed from Flu after a poor performance in the 2024 Série A.[32]
Brazil national team
On 4 July 2023, Diniz was appointed as interim head coach of the Brazil national team on a one-year deal.[33] On 21 November, Brazil lost 1–0 to Argentina at the Maracanã Stadium, which was the nation's first-ever defeat at home in a World Cup qualification match.[34]
On 5 January 2024, CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues dismissed Diniz from his role as Brazil interim head coach.[35]
Cruzeiro
On 23 September 2024, Diniz took over another club he represented as a player, Cruzeiro. He signed a contract until the end of 2025, and replaced sacked Fernando Seabra.[36]
Heavily criticized due to the club's poor run after his arrival, Diniz was sacked on 27 January 2025, with just three matches into the new season.[37] He left after seven defeats, seven draws and four wins in 18 matches.
Vasco da Gama return
On 9 May 2025, Diniz returned to Vasco on a contract until the end of 2026.[38] He was sacked on 22 February of the following year, after a poor start of the new season.[39]
Corinthians
On 6 April 2026, Diniz agreed to become the head coach of Corinthians, replacing Dorival Júnior.[40]
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | State League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Juventus-SP | 1995 | Série C | 0 | 0 | 25 | 3 | — | — | — | 25 | 3 | |||
| 1996 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 2 | — | — | — | 26 | 2 | |||||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 51 | 5 | — | — | — | 51 | 5 | |||||
| Guarani (loan) | 1995 | Série A | 18 | 3 | — | — | 1[a] | 0 | — | 19 | 3 | |||
| Palmeiras | 1996 | Série A | 18 | 1 | — | — | 2[a] | 0 | — | 20 | 1 | |||
| Corinthians | 1997 | Série A | 12 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 25 | 0 | ||
| 1998 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | 4[b] | 0 | 10 | 1 | |||
| Total | 12 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 5 | 1 | — | 4 | 0 | 35 | 1 | |||
| Paraná | 1998 | Série A | 17 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 17 | 1 | ||||
| 1999 | 15 | 1 | 8 | 1 | — | 4[a] | 0 | 12[c] | 0 | 39 | 2 | |||
| 2000 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 15 | 3 | |||
| Total | 32 | 2 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 71 | 6 | ||
| Fluminense | 2000[41] | Série A | 14 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 14 | 2 | ||||
| 2001[42] | 16 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 5[b] | 0 | 38 | 1 | |||
| 2002[42] | 18 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 2 | — | 15[d] | 1 | 41 | 4 | |||
| 2003[42] | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 8 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 49 | 4 | 23 | 0 | 9 | 2 | — | 20 | 1 | 101 | 7 | |||
| Flamengo | 2003[43] | Série A | 12 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 12 | 1 | ||||
| Juventude | 2004 | Série A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| Cruzeiro | 2004 | Série A | 8 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 0 | ||||
| Santos | 2005 | Série A | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 2[e] | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | ||
| Paulista | 2006 | Série B | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | ||||
| 2007 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | — | — | — | 14 | 1 | |||||
| Total | 5 | 2 | 14 | 1 | — | — | — | 19 | 3 | |||||
| Santo André | 2007 | Série B | 17 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 17 | 1 | ||||
| Juventus-SP | 2008 | Paulista | — | 10 | 0 | — | — | — | 10 | 0 | ||||
| Gama | 2008 | Série B | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Career total | 172 | 14 | 134 | 10 | 17 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 36 | 1 | 368 | 28 | ||
- Appearance(s) in Copa CONMEBOL
- Appearance(s) in Torneio Rio – São Paulo
- 11 appearances and one goal in Torneio Rio – São Paulo, four appearances in Copa dos Campeões
- Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores
Coaching statistics
- As of 3 May 2026
| Team | From | To | Record | Ref | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | ||||
| Votoraty | 12 January 2009 | 30 June 2010 | 77 | 38 | 17 | 22 | 129 | 90 | +39 | 49.35 | |
| Paulista | 1 July 2010 | 3 February 2011 | 54 | 23 | 19 | 12 | 92 | 71 | +21 | 42.59 | |
| Botafogo-SP | 4 February 2011 | 5 March 2011 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 10 | −5 | 25.00 | [8] |
| Atlético Sorocaba | January 2012 | 17 October 2012 | 45 | 24 | 8 | 13 | 86 | 63 | +23 | 53.33 | [9] |
| Audax | 1 January 2013 | 25 April 2014 | 64 | 33 | 18 | 13 | 99 | 61 | +38 | 51.56 | [44] |
| Guaratinguetá | 25 April 2014 | October 2014 | 18 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 32 | 18 | +14 | 33.33 | |
| Audax | October 2014 | 8 July 2015 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 23 | 19 | +4 | 40.00 | [44] |
| Paraná | 8 July 2015 | 27 September 2015 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 22 | 21 | +1 | 41.18 | [45] |
| Audax | 30 October 2015 | 16 May 2016 | 19 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 32 | 26 | +6 | 42.11 | [44] |
| Oeste | 16 May 2016 | 27 November 2016 | 37 | 9 | 16 | 12 | 34 | 45 | −11 | 24.32 | [44] |
| Audax | 27 November 2016 | 2 June 2017 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 18 | 22 | −4 | 21.43 | [44] |
| Atlético Paranaense | 3 January 2018 | 25 June 2018 | 21 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 25 | 27 | −2 | 23.81 | [46] |
| Fluminense | 19 December 2018 | 19 August 2019 | 44 | 18 | 11 | 15 | 71 | 48 | +23 | 40.91 | [19] |
| São Paulo | 27 September 2019 | 1 February 2021 | 77 | 35 | 21 | 21 | 120 | 89 | +31 | 45.45 | [23] |
| Santos | 7 May 2021 | 5 September 2021 | 27 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 29 | 29 | +0 | 37.04 | [47] |
| Vasco da Gama | 9 September 2021 | 11 November 2021 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 18 | −6 | 33.33 | |
| Fluminense | 30 April 2022 | 24 June 2024 | 144 | 73 | 30 | 41 | 233 | 156 | +77 | 50.69 | |
| Brazil (Interim) | 4 July 2023 | 5 January 2024 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 33.33 | [35] |
| Cruzeiro | 23 September 2024 | 27 January 2025 | 18 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 21 | −6 | 22.22 | |
| Vasco da Gama | 9 May 2025 | 22 February 2026 | 54 | 17 | 15 | 22 | 73 | 72 | +1 | 31.48 | |
| Corinthians | 6 April 2026 | present | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 62.50 | |
| Total | 775 | 331 | 205 | 239 | 1,167 | 915 | +252 | 42.71 | — | ||
Honours
Player
Corinthians
- Campeonato Paulista: 1997
Fluminense
- Campeonato Carioca: 2002
Coach
Votoraty
- Copa Paulista: 2009
- Campeonato Paulista Série A3: 2009
Paulista
- Copa Paulista: 2010
Audax
- Campeonato Paulista: runner-up 2016
Fluminense
Cruzeiro
- Copa Sudamericana: runner-up 2024
Vasco da Gama
- Copa do Brasil: runner-up 2025
Individual