Fernando Diniz Enjoys Vasco Da Gama Home Debut

V for Vasco and V for victory. Fernando Diniz, ex-Brazilian national team coach, has started a new journey as the head coach of Rio de Janeiro giant Vasco da Gama. In the last week Diniz has led Vasco to home successes in the league and the cup; endearing himself to the São Januário faithful.

The South American Pep

Fernando Diniz was probably the most hyped manager in Brazil across the last few years. In 2023 he led Fluminense to a first ever Copa Libertadores title and the bold style of football on display had commentators calling him the Pep Guardiola of South America.

Despite a heavy defeat to Manchester City in the subsequent Club World Cup final, videos surfaced from that game of Diniz’s team playing out from the back like any Guardiola side might have done at its peak. Except this was against a Guardiola side at its peak. This summed up Diniz’s dedication to his brave playing style and showed just how far he had taken a Fluminense team that wouldn’t of had the Copa Libertadores in sight without him.

A Series of Failures

After that incredible spell with Flu, Diniz was awarded the dream role; head coach of the Brazilian national team. Diniz was allowed six matches in charge of his country. Two wins, one draw and three losses obviously wasn’t a good enough record and Diniz was dismissed after just a few months on the job.

It was a tough managerial situation. Diniz made key changes to the squad. He inherited a team that had been struggling a lot, and more than anything he was trying to completely change the way Brazil played. On one hand, this might have been naive, but on the other, it is exactly why he was employed and so perhaps he should have been given more time to mould the team into the style that had proved so successful with Flu.

When you consider that his successor Dorival Junior would meet the same fate and be relieved of his duties after 16 games in charge, it makes you wonder why Brazil and the federation didn’t give the Diniz and his project the proper period of time to function.

Since then Cruzeiro backed Diniz as the manager of its next big project with a revamped squad ready to take on the Brazilian league. Again, a slow start and poor form saw Diniz leave the exit door after just a few months at the club. An uneasy recent record for sure, but Diniz is still a big personality with a big reputation and Vasco da Gama have taken a chance on him.

Vasco da Gama

A tricky tie awaited Diniz in his first big game as boss of Vasco. His team travelled to Buenos Aires to play against Lanús in the Copa Sudamericana and were defeated 1-0. However since then two home games have put a positive spin on his opening few days at the club.

Diniz’s team smashed Fortaleza 3-0 at home in his league debut. It was only Vasco’s third win of the league campaign, now having played nine games, and it was by far the most emphatic. More importantly; Diniz left the field to the Vasco crowd singing his name, with both parties hopeful of good things to come.

Days later a dramatic home tie saw Vasco concede deep into stoppage time against second division side Operário. The late goal meant penalties, but Vasco advanced after spot-kicks to keep the Diniz momentum going and of course move into the next round of the Brazilian Cup.

Diniz has a style on the pitch and a way with words off it. He is an inspiring character as he sticks to his ideals, lives and breathes football and is also known to show empathy and comment on social issues. For Vasco, ‘the peoples club’ in Rio de Janeiro, this could prove to be a match made in heaven. It’s a decent start for Diniz, but there is a long way to go.