Stabile backs Dorival, praises Memphis, Corinthians target Libertadores | OneFootball

Corinthians president Osmar Stabile commented on the club’s current situation and addressed football-related topics such as coach Dorival Júnior’s work, Memphis Depay’s stay, and the team’s outlook for the Conmebol Libertadores. The interview was given before the 3–1 loss to Fluminense in the Brazilian Championship.

In an interview with GE, when speaking about Corinthians’ winless run at that moment, Stabile acknowledged concern over the results but reiterated confidence in the coaching staff’s work. The president said the board continues to monitor the club’s day-to-day operations and showed support for the black-and-white coach.

 Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians 

“These are worrying numbers, but we believe. We’ve drawn several matches, but we believe the win will come at any moment. The work is being done with the commitment of the entire group, the players, the coaching staff, and the football executive. All of them are working with commitment and dedication so we can achieve results.”

After that, the president again highlighted his confidence in Dorival Júnior and said the board expects the team’s performances to improve over the course of the season.

“We have a lot of confidence in Dorival Júnior, and we believe we can achieve more results throughout this year.”

Still on the coach, Stabile said that the board is not currently considering any possibility of a change in the technical command. According to him, both the presidency and the football executive remain confident in the work being done.

“We don’t want to discuss this issue of a termination fee because it’s unnecessary at this moment. Marcelo Paz and I both believe strongly in Dorival’s work. We see the day-to-day, we’re not ignoring it, we’re following it closely. The work is there, so we can’t deal with matters that are not going to happen now. We’re calm, we’re going to work and support Dorival. I am absolutely certain that we will get out of this situation.”

Another topic addressed by Osmar Stabile was Memphis Depay’s situation. The executive confirmed that the club is still looking for alternatives to keep the forward and said that different areas of Corinthians are involved in that effort. According to him, the player himself has also shown interest in staying.

“This is an issue we are handling through financial restructuring so we can look for alternatives. Corinthians’ marketing department is working, the president is working, everyone is. Even Memphis is working on it—he has already given several interviews saying that whatever he has to do to remain at Corinthians, he will do. This negotiation is important because everyone wants it, and when everyone wants it, we make it happen.”

Asked about his personal assessment of the No. 10’s football, the president was direct in praising the forward and recalled the player’s importance in the club’s recent titles.

“Of course, right?! Anyone who likes football likes Memphis. He is an exceptional athlete. He was hugely important in the Copa do Brasil, hugely important in the Supercopa.”

Stabile also commented on Corinthians’ expectations for the Libertadores. Without taking a cautious tone, the president said the club’s goal is to compete for every title this season and included the continental competition among the year’s priorities.

“The title. Corinthians is so big that it enters every competition aiming to win every title it plays for. There’s no such thing as ‘let’s focus on one thing.’ I’m telling you that last year we focused on the Copa do Brasil because when we took over the squad, we no longer had a chance to fight in the Brasileirão. At that point, we had to work together on one choice; there wasn’t much way out. Today there is a way out—we want to win the Copa do Brasil, the Libertadores, and the Brazilian Championship; that is the focus.”

Finally, in the same answer, the executive also pushed back against the club’s recent history in Conmebol competitions and said Corinthians need to take the field with the ambition to change that scenario.

“Was the Copa do Brasil any different? We won the Copa do Brasil in 2009, then we came back and won it only now. Why can’t the Libertadores be different too? I always believe that each year is its own year, it’s different. The last time we had won the Copa do Brasil had been in 2009; now we won it in 2025. Why not go after the Libertadores after so long? There’s no such thing—the key is focus, determination, and everyone’s commitment. We’re going for it.”

Timão return to the field next Sunday (05), at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time), when they host Internacional at Neo Química Arena for the 10th round of the Brazilian Championship, looking to end the negative streak and get back to winning ways.

See more:

Corinthians News

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.