Dorival Júnior says goodbye to São Paulo to take over the national team

Coach Dorival Júnior asked to leave São Paulo this Sunday to take over the Brazilian team in place of the fired Fernando Diniz. The club accepted the Brazilian Cup champion’s request. The coach thanked him and revealed that this was “a dream come true.”

In an official note, the club made official the coach’s amicable termination. “São Paulo Futebol Clube announces the departure of coach Dorival Júnior, who requested his resignation to take command of the Brazilian team”, the Morumbi club made official.

The coach explained that he could not refuse the request from the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Ednaldo Rodrigues. “It’s the realization of a personal dream, which was only possible because I received recognition for the work carried out in São Paulo. That’s why I have to thank you for being part of this important period of reconstruction, led with competence by the presidency and the board”, he stated the coach in his farewell.

“With the investment in infrastructure and planning in recent years, the club is prepared to receive the most qualified professionals on the market. I would also like to thank the fans for all their love and support”, concluded Dorival Júnior.

President Julio Casares thanked the professional and cited the good campaign under the coach’s command as vital for the CBF’s recognition. “The invitation made to Dorival is further proof that we are on the right path. In 2021, the CBF had already called Muricy Ramalho, who will remain at São Paulo until the end of my management. Now, it was Dorival’s turn, who had a proposal to readjust and expand the contract with São Paulo until the end of my management, in 2026, with all the guarantees for stability. All that remains is to wish you good luck in your new challenge”, stated Casares.

Without Dorival, São Paulo is working on some fronts for the season in which it will return to the Copa Libertadores. The club carried out surveys of some foreigners who are employed, such as the Argentine Juan Pablo Vojvoda, from Fortaleza, and the Portuguese Pedro Caixinha, from Red Bull Bragantino, and António Oliveira, from Cuiabá, negotiations that were treated as difficult. Thiago Carpini would be an emergency option.

Until a replacement is agreed upon – the idea is to have a new commander quickly – the club will be coached in the pre-season by assistant Milton Cruz. Coordinator Muricy Ramalho was even considered this Sunday by people in the Tricolor squad, but he would hardly go back on his decision to retire from the sidelines after health problems.