Author: Soorya G
Currently available on the market, Rogério Ceni’s name has caught the attention of América-MG’s board of directors, who are looking for a new coach for the rest of the season. The Minas Gerais club are in the market after parting company with Vagner Mancini following their 3-1 defeat to Bahia on Sunday in the 18th round of the Brazilian Championship.
The former goalkeeper has been out of work since leaving his post as São Paulo coach in April 2023. Ceni also managed Fortaleza, Cruzeiro and Flamengo, securing the Brazilian Championship title with the latter in 2020. Although Rogério Ceni is indeed a favorite among América Mineiro’s managers, he is not the only focus at the moment. The negotiation may face obstacles, leading to ongoing discussions with alternative choices, as revealed by a source familiar with the matter.
“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 ventures. 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, conversations with Salum and the board will shed light on possible names in the market” said Euler Araújo, a member of the club’s board of directors, after Mancini’s dismissal.
Cuca was approached, but turned down the offer due to an imminent surgical procedure scheduled for Monday morning. América-MG are currently facing a challenging situation in the Brazilian Championship. With just one matchday remaining in the first half of the season, the Minas Gerais side have accumulated just 10 points and are in last place. In the Copa Sudamericana, América are still in contention for a place in the quarter-finals. The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw against Red Bull Bragantino in Belo Horizonte. The second leg is scheduled for Thursday at the Neo Química Arena.