Fluminense Parts Ways With Mano Menezes, Turns to Marcão While Exploring Options

After a disappointing loss to Fortaleza in their Brasileirão opener, Fluminense have sacked head coach Mano Menezes. As has become tradition since 2016, the club’s long-serving assistant and former player Marcão steps in as interim manager. Deeply connected to Fluminense, Marcão is a familiar figure in transitional periods, having already overseen the squad on nine separate occasions. His record stands at 71 matches, with 29 wins, 20 draws and 22 defeats.

As reported by columnist Paulo Vinicius Coelho in UOL, Fluminense is not considering Fernando Diniz for the vacancy, despite his emotional ties to the club. Instead, Renato Gaúcho is emerging as a top candidate, although the club is also open to hiring a foreign manager. With coaching instability becoming a norm in Brazilian football, the openness to international profiles reflects a growing trend.

Menezes’ departure comes just weeks after a break between the end of the Campeonato Carioca and the national league kickoff. According to PVC, the decision was driven not only by sporting results but also by political tensions within the club and mounting criticism on social media. Amid this turbulence, Fluminense once again turns to Marcão as a stabilizing figure while a permanent solution is sought.