Top Managers to Watch in the Serie A 2023 Season

Vagner Mancini – América Mineiro

One of the most intriguing stories of the 2023 season revolves around Vagner Mancini at América Mineiro. Mancini, a seasoned manager in Brazilian football, has been instrumental in the rise of América Mineiro, a team that only two seasons ago was playing in the second division. Now, under Mancini's leadership, América Mineiro is not just surviving but thriving in the Série A, even making waves in continental tournaments. Mancini's project at América Mineiro is built on organisation and discipline, with the manager slowly taking the team to the top of Brazil’s football hierarchy.

Vagner Mancini, a familiar figure in the Brazilian football landscape, has been at the helm of América Mineiro. With Mancini's leadership, the team, which earned promotion to the top division just two seasons ago, has now comfortably settled into the Serie A​.

Mancini has built an extremely organised project at América Mineiro, demonstrating his adeptness in fostering unity and discipline in his squad. It's this approach that has played a crucial role in the team's exciting performances in continental tournaments and their steady rise in Brazil's football hierarchy.

Eduardo Coudet – Atlético Mineiro

Eduardo Coudet, an Argentine manager, helms the squad at Atlético Mineiro. The 2023 season has been an exciting one for them as Coudet's arrival has proved to be quite the catalyst.

Taking the reins following the mutual agreed departure of the previous manager Cuca, Coudet brought an energy to the team that was palpable. Under Coudet's leadership, Atlético Mineiro returned to their traditional attacking ethos, bringing a fresh dynamism to the pitch. His influence has been instrumental in the team's journey to the top flight, making a significant impact on the overall performance and competitiveness of the squad.

Jorge Sampaoli – Flamengo

In the 2023 Brasileiro Serie A season, Jorge Sampaoli assumed the managerial reins of Flamengo from April 14 onwards. Throughout the season, Sampaoli guided the team through six matches, achieving an equal balance of wins and losses with three each. Under his stewardship, the team maintained an average of 1.50 points per match.

When playing at home, Flamengo displayed a solid performance, securing victory in two out of three matches, while conceding one loss. Their home record showcased an impressive average of two points per match, with seven goals scored against three conceded. Conversely, their away record was less favourable, with one win and two losses from three matches, and a lower average of one point per match. The team scored five goals while conceding six during their away games.

Abel Ferreira – Palmeiras

Abel Ferreira, born on December 22, 1978, in Penafiel, Portugal, is a former professional football player and current head coach for Palmeiras, a Brazilian football club. His career highlight as a player includes scoring a goal against Manchester United during a UEFA Champions League match and winning two Taça de Portugal and two Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira titles with Sporting CP. A series of injuries led to his retirement at the age of 32.

Ferreira transitioned to coaching in 2013, managing teams such as Sporting CP B, Braga B, Braga, and PAOK. Since 2020, he has been at the helm of Palmeiras, leading the team to significant victories, including the Copa do Brasil in 2020, back-to-back Copa Libertadores in 2020 and 2021, and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 2022.

At the start of the 2023 Serie A season, Ferreira has guided Palmeiras to four wins from their opening seven matches. His team is still the only team to remain undefeated in the league. Palmeiras are in second place, only behind Botafogo in the standings.

Renato Gaúcho – Grêmio

Renato Gaúcho is the current manager of Grêmio, having joined the club on the 1^st of September 2022. He joined the club, helping them secure promotion to the top division of the Brazilian football league system. Gaúcho has plenty of experience managing in the Brazilian Serie A, having previously managed Fluminense, Vasco da Gama, Flamengo, Bahia, Madureira and Atlético Paranaense.

This season, Gaúcho has guided Grêmio to eight points from six games. The team has failed to replicate their stellar Serie B form in the top-flight of Brazilian football. However, as the season progresses, we are likely going to see the manager get the best out of his players, known for his strict and pragmatic style of managing.

Other Managerial Changes

The 2023 season has also seen a large number of managerial changes, with clubs like Bahia, Vasco da Gama, Red Bull Bragantino, Santos, Athletico Paranaense, Corinthians, Goiás, Cuiabá, Coritiba, and Cruzeiro all seeing a change in leadership. The reasons for these departures vary, with some contracts ending, others stepping down, and some managers even being sacked.

So far this season, Serie A has seen a flurry of changes from many of the top-flight clubs. Corinthians manager Cuca resigned on the 27^th of April, as the role was handed over to Danilo in a caretaker role. On the 1^st of May, Vanderlei Luxemburgo took over the head coach job, eager to guide the team out of the relegation zone, having claimed only 5 points from six games.

António Oliveira, also known as ‘Toni’, was the most recent manager to join the league, taking charge of Cuiabá on the 13^th of May. He took over the position with the team sitting in the 18^th place of the league, as previous manager and fellow Portuguese compatriot, Ivo Vieira was sacked on the 10^th of May. Cuiabá have only four points from their opening six matches.

Exciting Managers to Keep an Eye on for the 2023 Serie A Season

The Brasileiro Serie A is a league that offers a kaleidoscope of managerial talent, with a mixture of proven veterans and emerging talents. The 2023 season promises to be another thrilling chapter in the league's rich history, with the managers playing a crucial role in shaping the narratives that will unfold.