Fluminense officially announced the departure of coach Luis Zubeldía on August 13, 2026, shortly after the goalless draw with Independiente Rivadavia, valid for the first game of the round of 16 of the Conmebol Libertadores. The decision also implies the departure of assistants Maxi Cuberas, Carlos Gruezo and Alejandro Escobar, as well as physical trainer Lucas Vivas. The team will be temporarily led by permanent assistant Marcão, who will wait for the new coach to be defined.
Fluminense’s board of directors assessed that, after Vasco’s elimination in the Copa do Brasil and the draw with Botafogo in the Brazilian Championship, the result against Rivadavia at Maracanã was decisive. Zubeldía had already been under pressure since the defeat to Vasco, and the sequence of eight games without victories in the season led to the decision to change the team’s technical leadership.
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Recent performance intensified the pressure on the coach
Dissatisfaction with the team’s performance in recent months was the predominant factor behind the growing pressure on the coach’s work. Fluminense almost missed out on the Libertadores group stage, advancing in second place only due to a combination of results in the last round, in a group that included Deportivo La Guaira, Independiente Rivadavia and Bolívar.
The hope that the team would improve in the knockout stages of the Libertadores did not materialize after yet another performance below expectations against Rivadavia. With qualification for the quarter-finals at risk and the need for a good result in the return game in Mendoza, Argentina, Fluminense chose to interrupt the coach’s work.
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In addition to the World Cup campaigns, the good start in the Brazilian Championship was also not continued in the following months. Under the direction of Zubeldía, the team competed for the leadership of the competition, but is currently 13 points behind Palmeiras.
Zubeldía was in charge of Fluminense in 61 matches, recording 30 wins, 18 draws and 13 defeats. Their best result was fourth place in the 2025 Brasileirão. However, the period was marked by difficulties in important classics, including two eliminations in the Copa do Brasil against Vasco and the Carioca runner-up against Flamengo.
Official statement from Fluminense about the departure of the technical committee
Fluminense Football Club released a statement informing that Luis Zubeldía is no longer part of the team’s technical command. The club also confirmed that assistants Maxi Cuberas, Carlos Gruezo and Alejandro Escobar, and physical trainer Lucas Vivas, are also leaving their roles.
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The club expressed its gratitude to the professionals for their dedication during the work period and wished them success in their future careers.
The team’s next match will be against Palmeiras on August 15th, a Saturday, at Maracanã, in the Brazilian Championship, with Marcão acting as interim manager.