Vasco back Fernando Diniz to stay on despite pressure and fans’ criticism | OneFootball

The temperature has risen considerably at São Januário after the goalless draw against Madureira, but the Vasco da Gama board is trying to remain cool behind the scenes. Despite an irregular start to the season and intense boos from the stands, coach Fernando Diniz is guaranteed to stay in his position. According to an investigation by the channel Atenção Vascaínos, the top management of SAF has decided to back the coach's continuity, even in the event of a possible defeat next Thursday (5th), against Chapecoense, in the Brasileirão.

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Vasco Behind the Scenes: “Harmonious Demands” and Continuity

The board is adopting a discourse of patience and long-term vision. Internally, the assessment is that the work takes time to mature, especially with the arrival of new reinforcements and the departure of key players.

The demand for better results exists, but it is described in the corridors of São Januário as “harmonious,” focused on course corrections rather than rupture or dismissal. The understanding is that fluctuations are natural at the start of the state championship and that firing the coach now would mean restarting the cycle from scratch.

Diniz continues training to improve performance – Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco

The gap between the pitch and the stands

While the word in the offices is support, in the stands, tolerance has run out. The team’s performance has been the main fuel for the crisis. Diniz’s numbers in this current spell are worrying: in 48 games, the team suffered 20 defeats, achieved 15 victories, and drew 13 times, resulting in a modest success rate of 40.2%.

Beyond the cold statistics, what irritates the fans is the lack of tactical evolution. The Vasco of 2026 repeats the mistakes of 2025: sterile ball possession without objectivity, chronic difficulty in breaking down defensive lines, and defensive fragility on counterattacks. The decision to field the strongest lineup in the State Championship and still fail to impose themselves against lower-budget opponents has increased the wear and tear. Added to this, episodes such as the public scolding of Nuno Moreira and controversial statements in the press have created a high-pressure environment for the next match.

Diniz tries to explain the moment in a press conference – Photo: Reproduction

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