Former Brazil head coach Fernando Diniz, who led the national team from 2023 to 2024, has been dismissed as manager of Cruzeiro, the club announced on Monday through its official social media channels.

“Cruzeiro announces that Fernando Diniz is no longer the coach of the Celeste team. Alongside the coach, assistant Eduardo Barros and fitness trainer Wagner Bertelli have also left the club,” the Belo Horizonte-based team stated. 

A tenure marked by criticism and poor results

Diniz, who joined Cruzeiro in September 2024 following the departure of Fernando Seabra, signed a contract that tied him to the team until December of this year. However, his tenure was marred by irregular performances, echoing the struggles of his brief stint with the Brazilian national team.

During the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, Brazil under his leadership finished in sixth place, a disappointing result that led to his replacement by current head coach Dorival Júnior.

At Cruzeiro, the results were no better. Throughout 2024, the team managed just three wins in 15 matches, finishing ninth in the Brazilian Championship standings, which left them out of the Copa Libertadores qualification zone. Additionally, they lost the Copa Sudamericana final to Argentina’s Racing Club.

A lackluster start to 2025

The beginning of 2025 offered no relief. Cruzeiro recorded two draws in friendly matches and registered one win, one draw, and one loss in their first three games of the Campeonato Mineiro, ultimately sealing Diniz’s fate as the Celeste coach.

Despite notable achievements in his career, including a Copa Libertadores and Recopa Sudamericana with Fluminense, Fernando Diniz’s tenure at Cruzeiro will be remembered for its inconsistency and criticism. The club now turns its focus to finding a new leader to guide them back to success.