Internacional Restructures Football Department Ahead of 2026 Season
Internacional initiates a major overhaul in its football department, including key executive departures, gearing up for the 2026 season and potential new head coach appointment.
- • Internacional restructures football department ahead of 2026 season.
- • Key departures include André Mazzuco, D’Alessandro, and José Olavo Bisol.
- • Departures credited to personal reasons and strategic changes.
- • Club aims to appoint new football department staff and head coach, with Odair Hellmann a primary candidate.
Key details
Sport Club Internacional announced significant changes in its Men's Football Department as part of a strategic reorganization for the 2026 season. Key executives, including Executive Director of Football André Mazzuco, Sporting Director D’Alessandro, and Vice-President of Football José Olavo Bisol, have departed the club. D’Alessandro’s exit is attributed to personal reasons, and the club publicly expressed gratitude for the trio's contributions during challenging times.
Under their leadership, Internacional secured a respectable fifth-place finish in the 2024 Brasileirão, marked the team’s return to CT Parque Gigante with structural upgrades, and clinched an undefeated title in the 2025 Gauchão. Despite these accomplishments, the 2025 season was difficult overall, with early eliminations from the Copa do Brasil and CONMEBOL Libertadores and a precarious near-relegation escape in the Brasileirão.
The football department will be temporarily overseen by the club’s technical team while new appointments are arranged. Securing a head coach for the 2026 campaign is a priority, with Odair Hellmann being the favored candidate. However, negotiations face complications due to his contractual ties with Athletico-PR. Internacional aims to refresh its competitive edge with this restructuring as it prepares to tackle future challenges and aspirations in Brazilian football.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.