The journey from Fluminense to the semi-final of the club World Cup should have Brazilian coaches more respect, said Renato Portaluppi manager of the club on Tuesday, after their unlikely deep run in the tournament ended in a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.
The former striker, who sent the team to the Rio de Janeiro championship of 1995 as a player, changed them from relegation tens in tournament media threats in just three months as a manager, and the club received a hero from fans in Metlife Stadium.
Portaluppi, a critic of the intake of foreign coaches into Brazilian club football, hopes that the strong show will shine a light on talent among Brazilian managers.
“I hope that not only the rest of the world, but also Brazil can look at Brazilian coaches in a different way and appreciate them a little more,” said Portaluppi, known as Renato Gaucho.
“I have nothing against coaches from other places in the world, but people talk a lot about them, but I pay little attention to Brazilian coaches … This club world has allowed Brazilian coaches to see in a better light and I hope that will remain the case.”
South American fans brought a party atmosphere to the Club World Cup and their teams yielded a number of exciting surprise results against their European counterparts, in a tournament that the organizers hoped would present the worldwide talent of the sport.
The last South American team in the tournament can leave with their heads, said Portaluppi, who promises that they are in strength for their fans at home.
“Our fans are now more excited, they are happier,” he said. “They will expect the same performance from us in Brazil.”
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