Inter advances with proposal for Eduardo Baptista, Criciúma's coach

Internacional is looking for a new coach to replace Paulo Pezzolano and, facing pressure from the relegation zone, made an offer to Eduardo Baptista, who manages Criciúma in Série B.

Inter looks for coach with relegation experience

With only 10 rounds remaining in the Campeonato Brasileiro, the colorado board wants a professional who sees the challenge as a career opportunity and believes in the squad's recovery capacity. Eduardo Baptista, 54, received a proposal for a contract until the end of the season, with a bonus if he achieves the objective of saving the club from relegation.

Eduardo Baptista at Criciúma

Baptista has been in charge of Criciúma since May of last year. He managed Novorizontino in the 2023 and 2024 editions of Série B, finishing in fifth place on both occasions, one spot below the G-4.

Ongoing negotiations

Talks between the two parties continue, and Inter's management is working to close the deal as quickly as possible. The coach is expected to announce his departure from Criciúma after the match against Operário, valid for the 29th round of Série B.

Other names already discarded

Before moving forward with Baptista, Inter had contacted Diego Aguirre, who preferred to stay at Peñarol, and Luis Zubeldía, who showed no interest. Other coaches analyzed were Maurício Barbieri and Rafael Lacerda.

Immediate challenge for the new coach

If the agreement is finalized, the new commander will have the mission of leading the team's reaction in the final stretch of the Brasileirão, facing clubs like Corinthians in the next round, while assistant Pablo Fernández takes over activities at CT Parque Gigante during the FIFA Data break.

With information from ge, UOL.