Fluminense Fires Luis Zubeldía, Names Marcão Interim

Overview

• Fluminense announced on Thursday that head coach Luis Zubeldía and his assistants Maxi Cuberas, Carlos Gruezo, Alejandro Escobar and preparer Lucas Vivas have left the club.
• Permanent assistant Marcão will serve as interim coach for Saturday’s Brasileiro match against Palmeiras at the Maracanã and the Libertadores return leg in Mendoza on August 18.
• The club pointed to an extended poor run after the World Cup — six draws and one defeat in seven matches — and a drop to about 4.43 shots on target per game as key reasons for the dismissal.
• Statistical contradictions underlined the crisis because the team still ranked among leaders in possession domestically and in the Libertadores while failing to turn control into clear chances or goals in recent matches.
• Fluminense has not named a permanent replacement and is expected to target out‑of‑contract coaches, with the coming league and continental results likely to determine how urgently the board moves and what project the club pursues next.