The coach, who could be a four-time Brazilian Cup champion, gave a speech protecting Brazilian coaches after qualifying Corinthians for the final
December 15
2025
– 05:40
(updated at 5:40 a.m.)
When he was introduced as Corinthians’ new coach in April, Dorival Junior he had been dismissed from the Brazilian team a month earlier. By then the questions were about his work and turned into a hunt for Brazilian coaches, unsurprisingly Italian Carlo Ancelotti was chosen to replace him, in an unprecedented move by the CBF.
“The frustration? It remains,” the coach said eight months ago during the presentation, speaking about his experience as Brazil coach. “I prepared myself to be there and experience a moment like this, but it doesn’t matter, I’m recovered, able to be here at Corinthians able to develop my best.”
The same year he ended his dream in the five-time champion team, however, Dorival could be Copa do Brasil champions with Corinthians, even though the team is experiencing turmoil behind the scenes, and could reach the tournament title for the fourth time.
Champion of the Copa do Brasil in 2010 (Santos), 2022 (Flamengo) and 2023 (São Paulo), the Corinthians coach aims to equal Felipão – Criciúma (1991), Grêmio (1994) and Palmeiras (1988 and 2012) – as the coach with the most titles in the tournament. Dorival also won the Libertadores with Flamengo in 2022 and showed his worth in the round of 16.
Corinthians is also looking for a fourth title, which would allow it to match the number of achievements of its rival Palmeiras, currently fourth team on the list of greatest champions, behind Grêmio and Flamengo, who share second place, with five cups.
Getting to where he is in the current conditions facing Corinthians has allowed the coach to vent the stigma he carries from his frustration working for the CBF.
“Once again we end the year with Filipe Luís as champion of the Libertadores and the Brazilian Championship and with at least one Brazilian coach in the final of a competition as important as the Brazilian Cup,” he said after the victory on penalties against Cruzeiro, before Fernando Diniz’s Vasco qualified against Fluminense of Argentinian Luis Zubeldía.
“I have the greatest respect for all foreign professionals who are here in our country. I think this integration is important. But I expect greater respect from the press in general. I have no conflict with anyone. But there is a process of great disrespect towards all professionals in my field. It is regrettable, because we are losing many professionals, many embarrass us unnecessarily… I hope we start believing a little more in Brazilian professionals again.”
Dorival’s black and white challenge in the search for the four is against Vasco and begins on Wednesday 17 at the Neo Química Arena. The decision for the title will take place in Rio, Sunday 21.
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