Fluminense officially announced on Thursday (13) the firing of head coach Luis Zubeldía. The decision comes following a concerning eight-game winless streak and growing pressure from the fans.
Luis Zubeldía‘s tenure at Fluminense officially came to an end on Thursday (13). The Argentine coach’s departure was announced by the club’s board just two days after a scoreless draw against Independiente Rivadavia in the first leg of the Libertadores Round of 16. The lackluster performance at the Maracanã was the final straw for a management team already facing questions due to a decline in form this season.
In addition to the head coach, his entire staff—including assistants Maxi Cuberas, Carlos Gruezo, and Alejandro Escobar, as well as fitness coach Lucas Vivas—is also leaving the club. In the immediate term, assistant manager Marcão will take charge of the team on an interim basis while the board searches for a permanent replacement in the transfer market.
Result crisis and internal pressure
Pressure on Zubeldía‘s position had grown significantly in recent weeks. The club accumulated failures in decisive moments, including an elimination by Vasco in the Copa do Brasil and frustrating results in the Brazilian Serie A. The decline in performance is evident, as Fluminense, which had previously been near the top of the Brazilian Serie A table, now sees Palmeiras holding a 13-point lead.
The final act at the Maracanã
The draw against Independiente Rivadavia left the Tricolor‘s situation in the Libertadores extremely delicate. Struggling to create plays, the team was met with protests from fans at the end of the match. Striker Hulk, who appeared isolated and ineffective, was among the main targets of the boos when he was substituted in the second half.
Fluminense FC announces that Luis Zubeldía is no longer the head coach of the team. The club thanks the professionals for their dedication throughout their tenure and wishes them success in the remainder of their careers.
Immediate challenge and outlook
Now, Fluminense‘s focus shifts to rebuilding the squad under Marcão. The debut challenge could not be more complex: the next match is against Palmeiras this Saturday (15) at the Maracanã, in the Brazilian Serie A. The result of this round will be a trial by fire for the group’s emotional stability.
The team, which now finishes with 61 matches under Zubeldía—including 30 wins, 18 draws, and 13 losses—is looking to find its winning ways again. The board’s decision, reported by the M360 Team, aims not only to stop the crisis in the national tournament but also to set the stage for the return leg in Argentina, where a spot in the quarterfinals will be decided.
