Inside: Dorival skips Fluminense trip, wants Arboleda, promised signings | OneFootball

Dorival Júnior was announced this Friday (15) as São Paulo’s new head coach. But his return to the position he will hold for the third time in the club’s history will take a little longer. According to what AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR learned from sources close to the coach, he insisted on starting work only next week.

In other words, Dorival will travel to the São Paulo capital only on Sunday (17) and is expected to be officially introduced on Monday (18), when he will lead the only training session before the clash against Millionarios on Tuesday (19), at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), at Morumbi, in the Copa Sudamericana.

The new Tricolor boss did not even accept executive Rui Costa’s suggestion to travel with the squad to Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and will not be present at the Maracanã for Saturday’s (16) 7 p.m. (Brasília time) match against Fluminense in the Brazilian Championship.

As AMT revealed on Thursday (14), the salary talks between the club and Dorival were quick. Dorival immediately accepted the offer of a short contract, until the end of the year, with no penalty clause.

Part of what led Dorival to put aside his desire to remain out of work in order to rest and watch the World Cup was the fact that it was São Paulo — his son’s favorite club, who played a key role in the negotiations for him to accept a pay cut — and also a place where the coach knows he enjoys a certain degree of idol status.

Unemployed for 40 days since being dismissed by rivals Corinthians, Dorival had been firm in his plans and had even refused to open talks with four other clubs previously. One of them was Fluminense, who would happen to be his opponent this Saturday.

The negotiations for Dorival’s arrival dragged on throughout Thursday and into the early hours because of the coach’s doubts about São Paulo’s current situation. The new boss wanted to know details about the political backstage, the finances, and the plans. Who might leave the squad…

One point, however, drew attention. According to what was reported to the outlet, Dorival brought up Arboleda more than once. And he admitted that he wants to help the center-back bounce back and speak with him personally. He considers him an essential part of the squad and was not pleased with the possibility of giving him up so easily.

To definitively seal the deal, Dorival emphasized the need for reinforcements. He showed knowledge of the current São Paulo squad, but stressed that there are shortcomings. He received from president Harry Massis, with whom he spoke by phone, the promise that new names would arrive. The targets already disclosed by the directors will be reevaluated by his staff.

More than ever, the break for the World Cup will be vital to establish the new face of São Paulo 2026. A face bearing Dorival’s signature in every possible aspect.

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