Rio de Janeiro: Former Brazil national team manager Fernando Diniz has been confirmed as the new head coach of Vasco da Gama. The 51-year-old has agreed to a contract that will last until December 2026, as announced by the Brazilian Serie A club in a statement on its official website.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Diniz takes over from Fabio Carille, who was dismissed on April 27 following the club's disappointing start to the season. Currently, Vasco da Gama is positioned 14th in the 20-team Brazilian Serie A standings, trailing nine points behind the leader Palmeiras, having secured just two victories in their first seven matches.

Diniz will have a support team that includes assistants Ricardo Colbachini and Evandro Fornari, along with physical trainer Wagner Bertelli. This appointment marks his second tenure with the Rio de Janeiro team, following a previous stint where he managed the club for 12 matches in 2021.

His inaugural game in this new role will be an away match against Argentina's Lanus in the Copa Sudamericana next Tuesday.