Seedorf takes charge of Corinthians in relegation fight
Clarence Seedorf is back in coaching with Corinthians, and straight into a relegation fight.
The Brazilian club named the 50-year-old Dutchman as head coach on 11 October, handing him a contract until the end of 2027, BBC reported. The official announcement was published by the club that morning, Corinthians confirmed.
Seedorf takes over with Corinthians 16th in Brazil's Serie A, the country's top division. They sit one place above the relegation zone, the bottom spots that drop down a division, with eight league games left to play.
He succeeds Fernando Diniz. The former Brazil interim coach was sacked after seven straight league defeats. Seven losses in a row. No manager survives that for long.
For Seedorf, it is a first coaching job since 2019. His last role was with the Cameroon national team. Before that he led AC Milan, Deportivo La Coruna in Spain and Shenzhen FC in China.
As a player, Seedorf needs little introduction to football fans of a certain age. The former Netherlands, AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder retired in 2014 after a career built on power, calm and long-range shooting.
He won the Champions League four times, Europe's top club competition. Twice with AC Milan, once with Real Madrid and once with Ajax. He remains the only player to win it with three different clubs.
He inherits a squad with familiar names for English fans. Former Manchester United players Memphis Depay and Jesse Lingard are both at Corinthians.
What makes this stand out is the scale of the task. Corinthians are one of Brazil's best-supported clubs. Eight games to save a season is pressure from day one.
Seedorf, who turned 50 around the time of the announcement, Reuters reported, now has to turn a losing run into survival. The streetlights are already on for this one.
