Author: Soorya G
Vagner Mancini’s tenure at América-MG has come to an end, as he failed to lead the team through their recent difficulties in the Brazilian Championship. Coelho were defeated
3-1 against Bahia
in the 18th round of the Serie A. Euler Araújo, director of the club’s Board of Directors, revealed the decision shortly after the final whistle blew at the Fonte Nova stadium in Salvador.
“In the dressing room, we had a chat with Mancini. The consensus is that a chapter is closing. I would like to emphasize the commendable work that Mancini did during his time at América. He raised the standards of the team, instilling a sense of audacity and motivation. I believe that the progress we have made owes a significant debt to your contributions. Unfortunately, we have reached a time when change is imperative.”
“Charting a new course without the presence of Mancini is undoubtedly a challenging endeavor. We would like to express our gratitude once again. Our best wishes extend to your next endeavors. That decision has already been formalized. However, we haven’t defined the names yet. Tomorrow, we embark on this journey. When I return to Belo Horizonte, discussions with Salum and the board will shed light on potential names on the market” he concluded thoughtfully.
Despite a commendable performance in the cup competitions, Mancini struggled to secure favorable results in the Brasileirão. The defeat against Bahia sunk América even lower in the league standings, putting them at the bottom with just 10 points. Coelho also hold the unfortunate distinction of having conceded the most goals in Serie A, with 40, seven more than Coritiba, who have conceded 33.
Having been hired in April 2022, Mancini managed the team in 93 games during his second term at América. Remarkably, he tasted victory in 37 matches, shared the spoils in 11 and lost the remaining 35.
This year, América showed their worth by reaching the final of the Mineiro Championship, successfully beating Cruzeiro in the semi-finals. However, the team faltered against Atlético in the two final matches and ended up winning second place. In the Copa do Brasil, the team’s journey was cut short in the quarter-finals with a penalty shoot-out defeat to Corinthians. On a more positive note, Coelho continue to play for supremacy in the Copa Sudamericana.