Mano Menezes

Mano Menezes, born Luiz Antônio Venker de Menezes on 11 June 1962, is a Brazilian football manager from Passo do Sobrado, Rio Grande do Sul. His rise came through clubs in southern Brazil, rather than a prominent professional playing career. He worked at Guarani de Venâncio Aires, Brasil de Pelotas, Iraty, Cruzeiro de Porto Alegre, and Caxias before receiving the job that made him nationally known: Grêmio. At Grêmio, Menezes took charge in April 2005, when the Porto Alegre club was in Série B. He led it back to Série A that season, winning the second-division championship. Grêmio then won the Campeonato Gaúcho in 2006 and 2007, and reached the Libertadores final in 2007, losing to Boca Juniors. Corinthians hired him after their 2007 relegation. His first season delivered the 2008 Série B title, restoring the club immediately. In 2009, Corinthians won the Campeonato Paulista and Copa do Brasil; the cup triumph secured a Libertadores place. That side included Ronaldo, whose return to Brazilian football became a major feature of the campaign. The Brazilian Football Confederation appointed Menezes as Brazil's men's national-team coach in July 2010, following the World Cup. He oversaw a squad transition after the Dunga era and coached Brazil at the 2011 Copa América. At the 2012 London Olympics, Brazil reached the final but lost 2–1 to Mexico, earning silver. His tenure ended in November 2012. Menezes later managed Flamengo, returned to Corinthians in 2014, and coached Cruzeiro during 2015 and 2016. He left Cruzeiro to lead China's Shandong Luneng in 2016, adding an overseas chapter to a career largely built in Brazil. Palmeiras appointed him in September 2019, but dismissed him that December after the club finished third in the Brazilian championship. At Bahia, he became coach in 2021 and departed after the club's relegation from Série A. Internacional hired him in April 2022; he guided the team to second place in the 2022 Brasileirão, behind Palmeiras. He was dismissed in July 2023. Corinthians brought him back in September 2023, amid a fight against relegation. His team stayed up and reached the semifinals of the 2024 Campeonato Paulista, but he was sacked in February 2024. Fluminense announced Menezes as its coach in July 2024, after Fernando Diniz's departure. The appointment reunited him with a Rio de Janeiro giant facing pressure in Série A. His achievements include Grêmio's promotion and Corinthians' Série B Paulista and Copa do Brasil titles.