Corinthians Starts 2024 with Difficulties

The year has just begun, yet Corinthians has already faced numerous challenges both on and off the pitch.

Join us as we explore the factors that have brought Timão to the current situation.

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Corinthians’ Political Atmosphere

The end of 2023 was not straightforward for the faithful supporters’ team.

The squad had a tough sporting year and narrowly avoided relegation in the last rounds of the championship.

As if that wasn’t enough, one of the most controversial elections in the club’s history took place.

The recent years without significant results demanded a change in the presidential chair.

On one side, André Negão, the incumbent candidate, and part of the group led by Andrés Sanchez, one of Corinthians’ most influential figures. On the other, Augusto Mello, possibly less known compared to his adversaries.

Another crucial factor is that, unlike many Brazilian clubs, Corinthians’ elections have various peculiarities. It’s not enough to be a club member; one must be a property or redeemed member.

Hence, only about 5 thousand people are eligible to vote. With this, the club’s organized supporters, who have significant political influence despite not necessarily being part of the membership, launched various campaigns against André Negão’s election.

Image: Reproduction GE – Andrés Sanchez e André Negão

Thus, Augusto Melo took over with a series of promises and catchy phrases.

Day by day, the promises fall through and fail to materialize. Right after taking the president’s chair, he claimed to bring Gabigol, a Flamengo icon.

The possibility was quickly denied by Flamengo’s management, and the deal did not materialize.

In the realm of transfers, a series of events unfolded. So far, Corinthians has lost 12 players, including defenders Lucas Veríssimo and Gil, last season’s starting center-back duo.

In contrast, only 3 new players have been added to the squad.

It could have been 4, as the club had confirmed the signing of the right-back Matheuzinho from Flamengo. However, the contract had not been signed, and the conditions were at least peculiar. The possibility of return at any time was one of the points of conflict. Additionally, Corinthians’ management allegedly blamed Flamengo for the transfer not happening, leading the Rio club to terminate any negotiations.

Pablo, also from Flamengo, was another player approached by Corinthians but is on the verge of signing with Botafogo, just like Matheuzinho.

Administratively, the President stated that Corinthians would have its biggest sponsorship deal ever, fueled by the betting company Vaidebet.

The problem lies in the existing contract between the club and Pixbet. To terminate the contract, Timão will have to pay a £6 million fine.

For this reason, the club’s accounts were frozen by the court. Nevertheless, an agreement was reached, and the former sponsor will receive the amount in 12 installments.

Amid the storm of uncertainties, Augusto Melo appoints Fabinho Soldado as the strongman of football, in the role of manager.

He will be responsible for calling the shots. Can he change the fate of this giant?

Image: Lance!

Mano Menezes and Timão on the Field

The term ‘crisis’ is challenging to adopt with only four official games played.

However, the numbers show only one victory in these matches and a very poor style of play.

It’s no news that the organizational and political factors of a football club directly influence performance on the field.

A great example is Timão’s rival, Santos, which, due to a pathetic management, was almost relegated in the Paulistão for three consecutive years but will face the second division in the Brazilian Championship.

Corinthians sits at the bottom of its group, consisting of Mirassol (6pts), Inter de Limeira (4pts), and Red Bull Bragantino (4pts). It’s the penultimate position in the overall standings, with the same points as Ituano, the first within the relegation zone.

The situation worsened with the unprecedented loss to São Paulo at home. Tricolor Paulista had never won at Neo Química Arena, but the taboo finally broke with a 2×0 victory.

Thus, even at the start of the season, Mano Menezes clashes with the board and even with the players.

He demands reinforcements and emphasizes the deficit of new players, stemming from twelve departures and only three arrivals.

Moreover, everyone is aware of the dreadful form of the centre-forward Yuri Alberto. The player was signed permanently for a hefty sum from Zenit but has failed to live up to the investment.

He misses bizarre goals and frequently features in awkward situations.

In one of these events, Mano Menezes calls him stupid. The player, deserving respect from his coach, hears the insult. When encountering the coach in the middle of the field, lip-reading reveals Yuri saying, “You don’t need to call me stupid for the whole stadium to hear.”

The coach apologized to the player.

The team’s attempt at redemption happens tomorrow, at 11:00 a.m., against Novorizontino, at Neo Química Arena.

Can Timão turn the tide?

Image: Vitor Chicarolli/ Meu Timão