Fortaleza pin survival hopes on Renato Paiva | OneFootball

Fortaleza have officially unveiled Renato Paiva as their new manager, handing the experienced Portuguese coach a contract running through to the end of 2026, according to Globo. Paiva steps in following the departure of Juan Pablo Vojvoda and is tasked with reversing the club’s fortunes as they sit in the relegation zone after a tough start to the Série A campaign.

Upon arrival at the Alcides Santos training centre on Thursday, Paiva immediately took charge of his first session, meeting both staff and players as preparations began for Saturday’s fixture against Bahia at Arena Castelão. The urgency of the situation is clear: Fortaleza need points quickly after a negative run that has left them second from bottom.

Paiva addressed the media upon his unveiling, explaining his motivation: “What brings me here is a very proud project, and the greatness of the club. I won’t be replacing Vojvoda, I’ll make my own history, and I hope it’s a happy one for the supporters.” He also emphasised his appetite for the challenge: “I like this kind of challenge. I am not here to replace Vojvoda. I am here to write my own story, and I hope it will be a memorable one.”

Club CEO Marcelo Paz revealed that the search for a new manager prioritised candidates familiar with the realities of Brazilian football. “We wanted a professional who already knew Série A—its opponents, logistics, refereeing, and the competition format,” Paz said. Paiva checks those boxes, having previously worked at Bahia and Botafogo in Brazil, as well as stints with Toluca and León in Mexico, Independiente del Valle in Ecuador, and Benfica in Portugal.

Paiva will be supported by his regular staff, including assistants Ricardo Dionísio and Miguel Santos, and goalkeeping coach Rui Tavares. His preferred approach blends European tactical foundations with flexibility, shaped by the squad available to him. Paiva is known for stressing the importance of numerical superiority in different areas of the pitch and adapting tactical width and structure to the qualities of his players.

Fortaleza’s initial choice for the role was Ramón Díaz, but after his decision to take up the post at Olimpia, the club moved quickly to secure Paiva. The immediate brief is to stabilise results and avoid relegation, but the longer-term ambition is to establish a renewed identity on the pitch.

The club’s recent activity behind the scenes has been brisk, with new signings in several positions to address injuries and thin squad depth, as reported by Globo. With Paiva at the helm and reinforcements registered, Fortaleza supporters will be hoping this marks the beginning of a turnaround.