Atlético-MG sign Sampaoli, Pedro’s attacker joins coaching staff

In partnership with

Coluna do Fla

·3 septembre 2025

Atlético-MG sign Sampaoli, Pedro’s attacker joins coaching staff

Jorge Sampaoli will have the company of Pablo Fernández, who was involved in a controversy with Pedro

Atlético-MG announced on Tuesday (02) the hiring of Jorge Sampaoli as the new coach. The Argentine replaces Cuca, who couldn't withstand the defeat to Vitória last Sunday (31). The 'hermano's' team will include Pablo Fernández, who punched Pedro while working at Flamengo in 2023.

Ele está de volta! 🔙🇦🇷 CAMpeão Mineiro em 2020, Jorge Sampaoli retorna para a sua segunda passagem como comandante Alvinegro! Com 65 anos e grandes trabalhos no currículo, o técnico assina vínculo válido até o final de 2027! 💪🏼 Agora é sem distanciamento social: estaremos
– mercredi 3 septembre 2025

“He's back! Champion of Minas Gerais in 2020, Jorge Sampaoli returns for his second stint as the Alvinegro commander! At 65 years old and with great work in his resume, the coach signs a contract valid until the end of 2027! Now without social distancing: we will be together and side by side at Arena MRV,” announced Atlético.

Vidéos OneFootball

WHO IS PART OF JORGE SAMPAOLI'S TECHNICAL TEAM?

Sampaoli arrives at Atlético-MG with four 'trusted men', who were also at Flamengo in 2023: Pablo Fernández (fitness coach), Marcos Fernández (analyst), Diogo Meschine (assistant coach), and Gabriel Andreata (technical manager). There is an expectation that the coach will request the hiring of more members soon.

WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN PABLO FERNÁNDEZ AND PEDRO?

In July 2023, curiously in a match against Atlético-MG, Pedro was assaulted at the Independência Stadium in Belo Horizonte. In the match where Flamengo won 2-1, despite the result, one of the biggest recent crises of Mengão was established. In summary, when Pablo called Pedro to warm up in the final minutes of the game, the forward, upset for being benched, refused. Consequently, after the final whistle, with everyone in the locker room, the fitness coach punched the current number 9. The case ended up at the police station, and Pablo was immediately dismissed from the club. However, since the episode, Flamengo's performance was never the same. The Argentine coach was dismissed months later, after the runner-up finish in the Copa do Brasil to São Paulo.

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