Portaluppi hopes Fluminense run gets Brazilian coaches more respect

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Soccer Football - Copa Sudamericana - Group Stage - Fluminense v Union Espanola - Estadio Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - May 14, 2025 Fluminense coach Renato Portaluppi before the match REUTERS/Pilar Olivares/File Photo

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Fluminenses trip to the Club World Cup semi-final should net Brazilian coaches more respect, the clubs manager Renato Portaluppi said on Tuesday, after their improbable deep run in the tournament ended in a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.

The former striker, who steered the team to the 1995 Rio de Janeiro championship as a player, turned them from relegation battlers into tournament threats in the span of just three months as manager, and the club received a heros sendoff from fans at MetLife Stadium.

A critic of the influx of foreign coaches in Brazilian club football, Portaluppi hopes the strong showing will shine a light on talent among Brazilian managers.

I hope that not only the rest of the world but Brazil, as well, 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 pay little attention to Brazilian coaches... This Club World Cup allowed for Brazilian coaches to be seen in a better light and I hope that continues to be the case.

South American fans brought a party atmosphere to the Club World Cup and their