Fortaleza turn to a Portuguese gamble | OneFootball

Renato Paiva is set to become the new head coach of Fortaleza, with only contract formalities left before an official announcement, according to Diário do Nordeste and Globo. The 55-year-old Portuguese manager will take over following the recent dismissal of Juan Pablo Vojvoda, who left the club earlier this week after a disappointing spell that saw Fortaleza drop into the relegation zone of Série A.

Paiva, who was most recently in charge at Botafogo, is expected to arrive with the immediate task of steering Fortaleza away from the bottom four and restoring confidence within the squad. During his tenure at Botafogo, Paiva managed 23 matches, securing 12 victories, three draws, and suffering eight defeats, delivering a 56.5% win rate. His stint at the Rio de Janeiro club lasted less than five months and was punctuated by a memorable 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup group stage, though it ultimately ended after an extra-time elimination to Palmeiras in the round of sixteen.

Before his time at Botafogo, Paiva had another spell in Brazil with Bahia in 2023, taking charge for 49 fixtures. His broader managerial experience includes stints at Benfica’s youth setup, Independiente del Valle in Ecuador, and spells at Mexican sides Toluca and León.

Fortaleza’s approach for Paiva came after their initial targets declined the role. The club had sought out the likes of Argentine coaches Luis Zubeldía and Ramón Díaz, as well as Tite—formerly of Flamengo and the Brazil national team—but all opted for other opportunities or had already reached agreements elsewhere.

Since Vojvoda’s departure, interim coach Léo Porto, previously in charge of the under-20 setup, has been overseeing the squad. With the team still battling in the Copa Libertadores knockouts and a challenging calendar ahead, Paiva faces not only the task of rapid stabilisation in Serie A but also managing the demands of continental competition.

Fortaleza’s next fixture is against Bahia this Saturday in the domestic league, with a formal introduction of the new coach likely to follow swiftly. The club is also moving actively in the transfer market to support the new regime, as it seeks both immediate relief from its current struggles and a long-term vision under Paiva’s leadership.