Tears and protests as Fortaleza’s greatest manager says goodbye | OneFootball

Juan Pablo Vojvoda bid farewell to Fortaleza in emotional scenes at the club’s Pici headquarters on Tuesday, as supporters gathered in numbers to offer their gratitude for an era that redefined the club’s stature both domestically and continentally, according to NE45 and Diário do Nordeste.

The Argentine manager spent four years at the helm, steering Fortaleza through its most successful period in recent memory. His departure, confirmed by the board on Monday, follows a prolonged run of disappointing results in Série A, with the team dropping into the relegation zone and facing early exits from both the Copa do Brasil and Copa do Nordeste.

Vojvoda took time to say goodbye not only to players and staff at the Alcides Santos training centre but also addressed supporters assembled on the terraces. Moved by the outpouring of support, he was seen in tears as fans chanted his name, requested autographs, and offered thanks. Access to the farewell was facilitated by the club, allowing fans to demonstrate appreciation for the manager credited with elevating Fortaleza’s ambitions. The moment also brought some protest from sections of the crowd aimed at certain players amid the club’s poor form.

Statistically, Vojvoda leaves an extensive imprint: 310 matches in charge, with 145 wins, 77 draws and 88 defeats. He departs as the manager with the most official games in Fortaleza’s history, surpassing club legend Moésio Gomes. His trophy haul includes three consecutive Campeonato Cearense titles (2021-2023), two Copa do Nordeste victories (2022, 2024), and three campaigns in the Copa Libertadores. In the 2023 season, his side reached the final of the Copa Sudamericana, narrowly falling to LDU on penalties.

Vojvoda’s tactical adaptability and ability to extract results against larger rivals earned him widespread respect within Cearense football. However, the club’s leadership determined that a “restart” was needed after a winless run that saw them slip to the lower reaches of the league standings. As reported by Diário do Nordeste, recent sessions had lost their competitive intensity—an issue that weighed heavily in the board’s decision.

The process to identify Vojvoda’s successor has already begun, with the search focused on candidates able to stabilise results and ensure top-flight survival. Club officials have made an offer to Argentine coach Ramón Díaz, whose contract discussions had also involved Paraguayan side Olimpia. Fortaleza’s financial proposal is reportedly more than double that of their competitors, though final negotiations remain ongoing.

Vojvoda’s exit marks the end of a chapter that saw Fortaleza raise its profile and secure a regular seat at the national table. His legacy at Pici will serve as a reference point as the club targets a new beginning.