Marcelo Paz said goodbye to Strength through an open letter published this Saturday. He will take on the role of director of football at Corinthians.
In the text, Paz confirms that he is leaving his position at the Ceará club. He praises his achievements during his time at the club. President between 2017 and 2023 and first CEO of SAF, the director led the team from Serie C to the Libertadores, in addition to playing in the South American final in 2023.
“Fortaleza was the greatest challenge of my professional life. Together we transformed a club, raised its sporting, institutional and financial level, and placed our tricolor in the leading role that its history and its supporters have always deserved,” Paz wrote.
“Thank you to every employee, athlete, advisor, manager, business partner, supporter and volunteer. Thank you to my family, who endured absences, tensions and resignations so that I could serve the club. Wherever I am, Fortaleza will be my eternal love,” he concluded.
Corinthians had already expressed interest in Paz before. The club consulted the executive in 2024, to take on the role of CEO under the leadership of Augusto Melo. But the director declined the invitation.
The name of Marcelo Paz came to the surface after an aborted negotiation with Bruno Spindel. The former Flamengo director said he did not receive the contract for signature after accepting the São Paulo club’s proposal and, given the lack of progress, he decided to end the negotiations.
Fabinho Soldado, who held this position until the end of the season, has left the club. Advisors put pressure on President Osmar Stábile not to continue in his role as Corinthian executive.
Soldado was hired under the leadership of Augusto Melo, who was dismissed in 2025. He was retained after the dismissal of the president at the time and his asset was his good relations with the players and the technical staff.
Read Marcelo Paz’s farewell letter from Fortaleza
tricolor family,
Today I am writing one of the most difficult and, at the same time, most peaceful messages of my professional life. After much reflection and dialogue with my family, I decided that it was time to say goodbye to the executive management of Fortaleza Esporte Clube.
Fortaleza was the biggest challenge of my professional life. Together, we transformed a club, raised its sporting, institutional and financial level, and placed our tricolor flag in the leading role that its history and its supporters have always deserved. It was eleven years of virtually uninterrupted dedication. I was present at nearly 800 matches, on site, following closely, whether in the smallest towns, Bombonera or Monumental de Nuñez.
Alongside a brilliant executive committee, we have been seven-time Ceará champions, Brazilian Championship Serie B champions and three-time Copa do Nordeste champions. We experienced unprecedented moments, such as the South American final, third place in the Brazilian Cup, fourth place in the Brasileirão in 2021 and 2024, and we achieved three placements for the Libertadores, reaching the round of 16 twice.
From an administrative point of view, we eliminated the club’s debts, saved Pici for Fortaleza, built a hotel, gyms and a modern athlete recovery center. We have also transformed the grassroots and women’s football, allowing CT Ribamar Bezerra to be fully operational. Fortaleza began to reveal players and attract talents that previously seemed very distant to us.
We also had a business revolution. We reached 60,000 members, expanded our network to more than 20 stores, including official and licensed, and signed the largest sponsorship deals in the history of Fortaleza. With the help of many good people, I have been voted the best CEO in Brazil and South America several times. More than a personal recognition, I see these achievements as a reflection of collective, serious and committed work.
I know that no long and intense journey like this escapes time. The club’s growth brought visibility, relevance and achievements, but it also began to require increasing efforts to resolve internal problems. A sign that the end of the cycle has arrived, and we must have the humility to recognize it.
I take with me pride, gratitude and the certainty of a duty accomplished. I think this is a good opportunity for other talents to take the lead in the club’s next steps, with courage and responsibility. Fortaleza remains strong, structured and prepared for new chapters.
I end by thanking God for having had the opportunity to lead my favorite club and for offering me so many graces. I also want to thank everyone who walked alongside me. Thank you to every employee, athlete, advisor, manager, business partner, fan and volunteer. Thanks to my family, who endured absences, tensions and resignations so that I could serve the club. Wherever I am, Fortaleza will be my eternal love.
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