Executive outlines 2026 academy plans and first team links | OneFootball

This past week, Corinthians' youth categories executive Erasmo Damiani gave an interview to the portal Meu Timão and discussed various topics. During the conversation, he was asked about the planning for the club's youth categories in 2026, projected greater integration with the professional department, and detailed the situation of Henrique Lemos, son of right-back Fagner, who plays in the youth team of Cruzeiro (where his father plays in the professional team) and was part of his development at Corinthians.

Erasmo Damiani was announced as the new youth executive of the Alvinegro on the 20th and has already had stints in the youth categories of Athletico, Internacional, Vitória, Atlético-MG, and Botafogo, as well as experience leading the youth categories of the Brazilian National Team. Check out some responses from the executive below.

The youth executive Erasmo Damiani and Corinthians president Osmar Stabile. Photo: Reproduction/Corinthians

Planning for Corinthians' youth categories in 2026

“In fact, the year starts for us this week because that's when all the categories return. On the 14th (Wednesday), all categories return, and then we start planning for 2026. Initially, we looked a bit more at the administrative side and some changes we had to make within the club. Now, we are focusing a bit more on the technical side, where we will have to assess the situations, what our shortcomings are, what our athlete replacement needs are, see what the professional team has mapped, the arrival of Marcelo (Paz).”

“Until today (Sunday, when the interview was conducted) in the morning, we have already discussed some things, so we will increasingly tighten the base with the professional team to have a linear alignment of the club. And based on that, we will handle 2026. In February, the Brazilian Under-20 Championship already starts. So, we have a month from the end of the São Paulo Cup to the start of the Brazilian Championship.”

Conversations with Marcelo Paz, newly hired executive for men's professional football

“We have been talking since he (Marcelo Paz) arrived. Even before he arrived, we had already started talking. And today we discussed other things. Soon, I will go to São Paulo, so we can sit down and talk. For him to understand what I saw in the youth categories since my arrival, what I understand, what I see that can be even better with the professional team; how he can help us, how he can help me. The conversation was based on planning. It was a calm conversation, more about what we can plan for Corinthians for 2026.”

Reasons for not taking all registered players of the São Paulo Cup to Jaú, headquarters of Corinthians' group 8

“It's a matter of logistics. We understood that the professional team would also need athletes to be training there soon, to be part of the start of the season. The professional team returned on January 3rd, so we understood this as the best logistical way to have at least 25 athletes here, especially since we can only have 20 (including) the bench.”

“We kept five athletes out. Having ten athletes out is sometimes more difficult to manage some things. We understood it as the best way to meet the needs of the professional team and also internally here. And then, what happened? The professional team called three athletes, and three athletes came here.”

“And São Paulo itself, which you mentioned, traveled (in 2025) with only 24 here, right? I talked to (Marcos) Biasotto (São Paulo's youth director) to know how the hotel, food, and rooms were, which I think is the main point of the competition: you have to eat well and have a good rest. I didn't ask how many people they came here with, but given the structure we had, we found it ideal.”

Importance of Corinthians' fans in Jaú

“From an early age, they live under pressure. Corinthians' fans impress me a lot. They support a lot, a lot. Imagine, you play all year sometimes with, at most, 500, 600 people. And you arrive at a game with 8,000, 9,000 (fans). Not to mention those watching on television. So, you have to maintain this preparation that it's not easy to play for Corinthians.”

Situation of Henrique Lemos, son of Fagner (former right-back of Corinthians and now at Cruzeiro); the Alvinegro still holds 50% of his economic rights – the athlete was part of his development at Parque São Jorge.

“When I arrived, Henrique had already gone to Cruzeiro. It's an agreement where Corinthians has a normal percentage of the athlete, as we also have with other players. There's not much to say. There is a contract today between Corinthians and Cruzeiro. I always say, for any player, I always hope he succeeds, that he can achieve his dream. Even more so when the athlete is the son of a well-known professional athlete. And we have a partnership with Cruzeiro, so I also hope he succeeds because Corinthians has a part of him too.”

Integration between youth and professional for 2026

“Since last year, we had this notion with the professional team that they could, at any moment, call some athletes who were here in the Copinha to be part of the main team, at least for the start of the season. So, we were already somewhat prepared for this because they could be called at any moment. And the role of the youth team is this: to have the athletes ready so they can go to the professional team, develop there, and stay there as well.”

“We have a facilitator which is next door, right? I came from Atlético before, not Botafogo, but at Atlético, it was at the same training center. You also have some facilities, much greater contact. The youth team today is next door (to the professional team). The youth training center is next door, so I think this integration should occur naturally, and I think having even greater access along with the professional team.”

“No, there are no (certain names). They have mapped everyone. It depends a lot on the position that the professional team will need, which was needed at that moment. So, as the three have already been through the professional team, it was easier for them because they already have the experience there inside the professional training center.”

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