Athletico signaled Fernando Diniz's staff that he's interested in hiring the coach. The first contact occurred on Monday, hours after the Fluminense Announce the professional's resignation.
It weighs in favor of Diniz the relationship of admiration with President Mario Celso Petraglia. The professional's name is also well evaluated by the football department of Rubro-Negro.
Diniz and André Mazzuco, football director at Athletico, worked together in Santos, in 2021.
Coach commanded Athletico in 2018. It was 21 games ahead of the team. Last year, Diniz recalled his visit to Curitiba, showed gratitude to the club and exalted Petraglia.
– From that work we helped provide the appearance of Lodi, Leo Pereira and Bruno Guimarães. When they were gonna start playing games with me I ended up leaving. It was a work base and Athletico knew how to enjoy it. And in a special way, I wanted to thank Mario Celso Petraglia, who I consider a friend and a genius. I have a special relationship with him, I am very grateful – he said.
After leaving, the president praised Diniz and came to compare him with Guardiola.
– That question is semantic. They worked together for months. He worked together with the alternate team, along with Fernando. He's more conservative. People are what they are. There was an integration. Now, at Fernando’s level, perhaps the Guardiola – said at the time.
The pro left the Fluminense This Monday. He returned to the club in April 2022, but lived his best time in 2023, when he won Carioca and the unpublished title of Liberators. This season, he also raised the South American Recopa Cup, with victory over the LDU.
