This morning, Cruzeiro announced the signing of Fernando Diniz, shortly after dismissing Fernando Seabra from the position of head coach.
Join us as we review Fernando Seabra’s time at Cruzeiro and discuss what to expect from Fernando Diniz as he takes charge of the team.
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Fernando Diniz at Cruzeiro
After parting ways with Fernando Seabra, Cruzeiro announced the hiring of Fernando Diniz with a contract valid until the end of 2025.
Fernando Diniz will already be present at Tuesday’s training session, as the Cruzeiro squad returns to work. He will lead the team in their match against Libertad of Paraguay this Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Conmebol Sudamericana.
In 2004, Fernando Diniz had a brief stint with Cruzeiro. He played only eight matches, starting three, and did not score any goals.
Photo: Jorge Gontijo/Estado de Minas
Diniz’s last job was with Fluminense, where he won the Copa Libertadores and the Campeonato Carioca in 2023, as well as the Recopa Sudamericana in 2024. However, his tenure at the Tricolor das Laranjeiras ended in turmoil, with the team sitting at the bottom of the Brasileirão table, having earned just 6 points in 11 matches.
Photo: Marcelo Gonçalves/Fluminense
In the latest round of the Brasileirão, Cruzeiro fielded a mixed squad and drew 0-0 away against Cuiabá. Earlier in the week, the Raposa achieved an impressive 2-0 victory over Libertad in Paraguay during the Copa Sudamericana.
After the underwhelming performance against Cuiabá, Cruzeiro’s management decided to sack Fernando Seabra. As Diniz was available on the market, he quickly became a strong candidate behind the scenes at the club and was deemed “highly feasible” for the position.
Fernando Diniz was persuaded to take over Cruzeiro by the promise of an ambitious project for 2025, which included squad reinforcements. In discussions with SAF owner Pedro Lourenço and director Alexandre Mattos, Diniz was assured that new signings would arrive next season. The goal is to build a stronger team capable of being a top contender in the upcoming campaign.
The priority is the 2025 season, but there is also hope for a Libertadores spot this year, as Cruzeiro currently sits 7th in the Brasileirão. The league grants 4 direct spots and 2 playoff spots for the Libertadores. However, if Brazilian teams win the Libertadores and Sudamericana and also finish in the top 6 of the Brasileirão, additional spots will open up, meaning Cruzeiro could qualify by finishing 7th or 8th.
Fernando Diniz is known for a very distinctive playing style in Brazilian football, focused on ball possession, constant movement, and patient build-up from the back. This approach, often compared to the European “tiki-taka,” emphasizes controlling the game through short passes and triangles rather than direct play and quick transitions. Diniz’s philosophy demands that his teams adopt an offensive mindset, play proactively, and dominate on the field.
This playing style, coupled with the ambitious project of Cruzeiro’s new owner Pedro Lourenço, has generated high expectations among the fans.
Fernando Seabra at Cruzeiro
Initially hired to coach Cruzeiro’s U-20 team in 2022, Fernando Seabra found success, winning the 2023 Copa do Brasil and finishing as runners-up in the 2024 Copinha. He also worked as part of Paulo Autuori’s interim staff at the end of last year’s Brasileirão, helping the team secure a spot in the Copa Sudamericana.
Seabra left the club in January to coach Bragantino’s U-23 squad but returned three months later, handpicked by Ronaldo Fenômeno’s management to replace Nicolás Larcamón, who was sacked after the Campeonato Mineiro.
As time went on and the team’s performances improved, Seabra was retained even after Pedro Lourenço bought Cruzeiro’s SAF. Seabra managed to turn the team around in the Sudamericana group stage and kept them fighting near the top of the Brasileirão standings.
In recent matches, however, Seabra came under fire for inconsistent performances and disappointing results, such as the home loss to São Paulo’s reserve team and the away draw against Cuiabá, which ultimately led to his dismissal.
In just over five months of work, Fernando Seabra led the team in 35 matches, securing 17 wins, 10 losses, and 8 draws.
Photo: Gustavo Aleixo/Cruzeiro
Written by Henry Miller.
