Católica Legend Urges Club to Sack Nunes and Hire Fernando Díaz

Tiago Nunes is under renewed pressure at Universidad Católica following the club’s latest disappointment — elimination from the Copa Chile. With fans growing increasingly frustrated by the team's lack of identity and results, former club icon René Valenzuela has publicly called for the Brazilian coach’s dismissal. The comments were reported by RedGol.

Valenzuela, a key figure in Católica's 1984 championship squad, didn’t mince words. “I’m getting banners made that say ‘Fernando Díaz to UC’s bench.’ I’ll be taking them to San Carlos,” he joked, pushing for the appointment of veteran Chilean coach Fernando “Nano” Díaz.

His remarks came after Católica’s controversial loss to San Luis, a second-tier side, which compounded the frustration from their early Copa Sudamericana exit. “They don’t play to anything,” Valenzuela said. “San Luis looked like the superior team, and that shouldn’t happen. We have good players, so the issue lies with the coach.”

Though he acknowledged that firing Nunes would come with financial consequences, Valenzuela stressed that action is necessary before the club’s league campaign is also derailed. Currently, UC sits fourth in the domestic standings, a position that flatters their recent performances.

“It’s been a long time since this team looked right,” Valenzuela concluded, adding to the growing voices demanding change in the dugout.