Marcelo Paz Confirmed as Corinthians' New Executive Football Director Amid Leadership Transition
Marcelo Paz has been appointed as Corinthians’ new executive football director, replacing Fabinho Soldado amid political tensions and operational challenges within the club.
- • Marcelo Paz replaces Fabinho Soldado as Corinthians' executive football director.
- • Paz led Fortaleza from Serie C to major South American competitions before joining Corinthians.
- • Fabinho Soldado resigned citing political discomfort within Corinthians.
- • Negotiations with Bruno Spindel failed due to contract delays, leading to Paz's appointment.
- • Corinthians faces player transfer delays and a transfer ban related to a debt with Santos Laguna.
Key details
Corinthians have finalized the appointment of Marcelo Paz as their new executive football director, succeeding Fabinho Soldado who recently departed amid internal political tensions within the club. Paz, who left his role as CEO of Fortaleza, steps into the position following detailed negotiations and a brief hiatus following unsuccessful talks with another candidate, Bruno Spindel.
Paz’s tenure at Fortaleza was marked by significant achievements including leading the team from Brazil’s Serie C to competing in prestigious tournaments such as the Copa Libertadores and reaching the Sul-Americana final in 2023. Despite Fortaleza’s relegation in 2025, his leadership was seen as pivotal in the club’s structural rebuilding.
The transition comes at a critical juncture for Corinthians, with the club currently experiencing delays in player transfers and contract renewals, exacerbated by a transfer ban linked to a debt with Santos Laguna that the club aims to resolve by early January. Notably, players like Maycon and Fabrizio Angileri face uncertain futures amid contract discussions.
Fabinho Soldado, who had joined Corinthians in January 2024 and contributed significantly to the squad's Copa do Brasil victories, resigned shortly after the 2025 title, citing discomfort with the club's political environment. He remarked that "professionalism still seems to bother some" in Corinthians, a comment reflecting underlying tensions. Later, Soldado softened his stance, expressing gratitude to the club and president Osmar Stábile, while alluding to a potential future role with Internacional.
Negotiations with Bruno Spindel, initially favored for the position, fell through due to a lack of timely contract formalization by Corinthians, leading Spindel to withdraw. This paved the way for Paz’s appointment, which the club aims to solidify by the weekend.
Marcelo Paz's return to Corinthians marks a strategic move by the club to stabilize and propel their football operations into the 2026 season, leveraging his extensive managerial experience and proven track record in Brazilian football.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (3)
Source comparison
Status of Marcelo Paz's appointment
Sources disagree on whether Marcelo Paz has been officially appointed or is still in negotiations.
estadao.com.br
"Marcelo Paz has been named the new executive of football for Corinthians."
cnnbrasil.com.br
"Corinthians is currently in negotiations with Marcelo Paz to appoint him as the new football executive director."
Why this matters: One source states that Marcelo Paz has been named the new executive director, while another indicates he is still in advanced negotiations. This is significant as it affects the understanding of the current leadership situation at Corinthians.
Bruno Spindel's status
Sources differ on the nature of Bruno Spindel's withdrawal from negotiations.
estadao.com.br
"Bruno Spindel left discussions due to contract delays."
cnnbrasil.com.br
"Spindel's withdrawal was attributed to a lack of communication from Corinthians after he accepted their formal offer."
Why this matters: One source attributes Spindel's withdrawal to contract delays, while another suggests it was due to a lack of communication after he accepted a formal offer. This discrepancy impacts the understanding of the negotiation dynamics.