A man who lifted the European Cup with three different clubs is now tasked with keeping Corinthians in Brazil’s top flight. The São Paulo club confirmed Seedorf as head coach on Sunday, hours before a derby defeat at Palmeiras.
Seedorf, 50, has signed through December 2027. The deal reportedly carries a termination clause triggered by relegation to Série B.
“Accepting this challenge is a great honour, but it is also an enormous responsibility,” Seedorf said in the club’s announcement.
“I am here to give everything I have, and to build a team that fights for every ball, every minute and every victory.”
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Fernando Diniz was sacked on 7 October after a 2-1 loss at Internacional, the club’s seventh straight league defeat. Before the weekend, Corinthians sat 16th in the 20-team Brasileirão, one point clear of the relegation zone with nine rounds left.
Seven years out of the dugout
Seedorf’s last head coaching role was with the Cameroon national team, which parted with him in 2019. He has had three club spells, including AC Milan in 2014 and Deportivo La Coruña in 2018, each lasting under six months.
As a player he was the only man to win the Champions League with three different clubs, lifting the trophy with Ajax in 1995, Real Madrid in 1998 and AC Milan in 2003 and 2007. He finished his playing career in Brazil at Botafogo.
A debut that will have to wait
Seedorf did not take the bench for Sunday’s derby against Palmeiras. William Batista oversaw a 4-1 defeat at Nubank Parque, stretching Corinthians’ league losing run to eight.
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Alexander Barboza and Agustín Giay, who scored twice, hit the goals for Palmeiras, with Matheus Bidu adding an own goal. Gustavo Henrique pulled one back for Corinthians with the last kick of the match.
A squad in crisis
The side Seedorf inherits includes Dutch forward Memphis Depay. Corinthians had sounded out several candidates, including Sebastián Beccacece, Ramón Díaz, Juan Pablo Vojvoda, Fábio Carille, Luis Zubeldía, Sylvinho and Javier Mascherano, before turning to Seedorf.
The Dutchman was in the stands at Real Madrid against Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabéu when the deal was finalised. He is expected to arrive in São Paulo within days and take charge of training before Corinthians’ next Brasileirão round.
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