Fernando Diniz spoke publicly for the first time about the decision not to renew Memphis Depay's contract, revealing that he was surprised by the decision of the club's president, Osmar Stabile. The coach had a close relationship with the Dutch player, who was considered a reference technical player for the Corinthians' team. Diniz expressed his disappointment, stating that he had a strong desire to work with Depay, who had been with the team for two years and had created strong bonds with his teammates.
The coach also acknowledged that the rest of the team felt the impact of Depay's departure, with the executive Marcelo Paz, supervisor Julio Manso, and all the players being affected by the decision. Despite the disappointment, Diniz praised the team's performance in the 0-0 draw against Rosario Central in the Libertadores quarterfinals, highlighting their defensive effort and collective work. He also compared their recent performances in the Copa do Brasil, stating that they had learned from their mistakes and were now delivering a better performance.
The Corinthians will play their next match against Rosario Central on Thursday, with a victory securing their spot in the Libertadores quarterfinals. However, before that, they have a commitment with Cruzeiro on Sunday in the 23rd round of the Campeonato Brasileiro.