Corinthians, one of Brazil’s most iconic clubs, announced on Monday the signing of Dorival Júnior as the new head coach until 2026, replacing Argentine manager Ramón Díaz. The former Brazil boss, who just turned 63 last Friday, was available after his sudden departure from the Seleção.

Dorival’s arrival ends two weeks of uncertainty on the Timão bench, after a failed attempt to bring back Tite, another former Brazil coach. According to the club’s statement, Dorival has signed a deal running through December 31, 2026.

A Veteran Manager

Dorival Júnior brings a wealth of experience, having coached almost every major club in Brazil: Cruzeiro, Vasco da Gama, Santos, Atlético Mineiro, Internacional, Flamengo, Fluminense, Palmeiras, and São Paulo. However, Corinthians — the second most popular team in Brazil after Flamengo — had been missing from his impressive résumé.

Despite his experience, Dorival joins with his reputation slightly dented after his stint with the national team. Under his watch, Brazil failed to bounce back from the struggles following the 2022 World Cup, with a record of seven wins, seven draws, and two losses. His dismissal came after a painful 4–1 defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires.

Corinthians’ Current Situation

Dorival takes charge of a Corinthians side going through a rocky patch. Even though they recently won the Campeonato Paulista, the team led by Memphis Depay has struggled early in the Brazilian League and the Copa Sudamericana.

After Tite turned down the job — choosing to step away from football for mental and physical health reasons — the club’s board went all in for Dorival, who now faces the huge task of getting Corinthians back on track.