Backed by Pedrinho, Diniz to seek rare continuity at Vasco in 2026 | OneFootball

Fernando Diniz will remain Vasco head coach in 2026 with the backing of Pedrinho. According to Globo.com, the club are prioritising continuity.

Appointed in May to avoid relegation and push in the cups, his season is rated positively after runners-up in the Copa do Brasil and an early Sudamericana exit.

At no point in 2025 was his dismissal discussed. Pressure rose late on, but criticism mainly focused on players during the slump, while the first Copa do Brasil final in 14 years strengthened the case for continuity.

A steadier league campaign is the aim for 2026. In 2025 Vasco reached 42 points by the 30th round and eyed the Libertadores, then fell to 14th with 45 points.

With the Brasileirão starting at the end of January, a change was not pursued. Diniz is central to the project and influenced recruitment, helping convince Robert Renan, Thiago Mendes and Andrés Gómez.

Longevity has been rare over the past 15 years. In 2024 Rafael Paiva was sacked late on, a month-long search ended with Fábio Carille, who was dismissed before April ended.

Ramón Díaz was the last coach retained from one Brasileirão to the next after 2023 survival, but he departed after a heavy loss to Criciúma early in the campaign, having lasted 10 months.

Diniz will reach eight months in charge in January, when the Carioca and Brasileirão get under way. His task is to start a full season at São Januário and outlast recent predecessors.

Source: Globo.com