26 Facts About Fernando Diniz

Fernando Diniz Silva was born on 27 March 1974 and is a Brazilian professional football coach and former player who played as a midfielder.

Fernando Diniz is currently the head coach of Vasco da Gama.

Fernando Diniz's approach, known as Dinizismo, rejects the compartmentalized, mechanized logic of European positional play in favor of a more organic, connection-driven model.

In doing so, Fernando Diniz has emerged as one of the most original and influential tacticians of the 21st century, reshaping the foundations of Jogo Funcional and inspiring a new generation of coaches and thinkers across South America.

In 1997, Fernando Diniz moved to Palmeiras' fierce rivals Corinthians, featuring regularly during his two-year spell at the club.

Fernando Diniz subsequently represented Parana, Fluminense, Flamengo, Juventude, Cruzeiro and Santos, all in the top tier.

In 2006, Fernando Diniz signed for Paulista, and later played for Santo Andre and Gama.

Fernando Diniz retired with the latter in 2008, aged 34.

One year after retiring, Fernando Diniz was appointed head coach of lowly Votoraty, where he was crowned champions of both Copa Paulista and Campeonato Paulista Serie A3.

On 5 February 2011, Fernando Diniz was named Botafogo-SP head coach, but was fired after only four matches in charge.

Fernando Diniz was appointed at the helm of Atletico Sorocaba in 2012.

In 2013, Fernando Diniz joined Audax, and introduced the tiki-taka, style of Barcelona, in the club.

Fernando Diniz returned to Audax for the 2016 Campeonato Paulista, which he managed to lead the side to the finals, but lost to Santos.

Fernando Diniz returned to Audax for a third spell in 2017, but suffered relegation.

Fernando Diniz only returned to managerial duties in the following season; after being announced as head coach of Guarani in November 2017, he signed with Atletico Paranaense in January 2018.

On 19 December 2018, Fernando Diniz was appointed head coach of another club he represented as a player, Fluminense.

Fernando Diniz was sacked by the club on 19 August 2019.

On 6 May 2021, Fernando Diniz agreed to a one-year contract with Santos, being officially named head coach the following day.

Four days after leaving Santos, Fernando Diniz was appointed at Vasco da Gama in the second division.

Fernando Diniz was dismissed on 11 November 2021, after failing to achieve promotion.

Fernando Diniz returned to Fluminense on 30 April 2022, after Abel Braga resigned.

Fernando Diniz won the 2023 Campeonato Carioca with the club, his first major trophy as a head coach.

On 4 July 2023, Fernando Diniz was appointed as interim head coach of the Brazil national team on a one-year deal.

On 23 September 2024, Fernando Diniz took over another club he represented as a player, Cruzeiro.

Fernando Diniz signed a contract until the end of 2025, and replaced sacked Fernando Seabra.

On 9 May 2025, Fernando Diniz was appointed as the head coach of Vasco da Gama, his second stint in charge of the club.