Cruzeiro has cooled its interest in hiring Grêmio’s coach, Renato Portaluppi, for the 2025 season. Following the dismissal of Fernando Seabra on Sunday (September 22), the Minas Gerais club is actively seeking a coach who can step in immediately, with Fernando Diniz emerging as the primary candidate.
According to Rádio Itatiaia in Belo Horizonte, Cruzeiro’s management has already opened negotiations with the former Brazilian national team coach, who has been without a club since June after leaving Fluminense. The plan is to have Diniz in charge for the upcoming match against Libertad on Thursday (September 26) in the Copa Sul-Americana. Additionally, former Botafogo coach Luís Castro is also mentioned as a potential option.
Initially, Cruzeiro intended to keep Fernando Seabra until the end of the Brasileirão, planning to pursue Renato starting in January. However, after disappointing results, Seabra was dismissed following a draw with Cuiabá. Since Renato is not inclined to terminate his contract with Grêmio, Cruzeiro is now looking for a coach who can take over immediately, ideally with a project extending at least one year, which diminishes the likelihood of hiring the tricolor coach.
Even if Diniz’s hiring is confirmed, Renato Portaluppi’s future with Grêmio in 2025 remains uncertain. The Grêmio management and the coach plan to address this issue only after the Brasileirão concludes. Currently, opinions on Renato’s performance are divided, and the Tricolor’s results until year-end will heavily influence the decision.