Vasco da Gama coach: Coutinho trains very hard and Romario is a superstar

October 25th Vasco da Gama head coach Fernando Diniz said in an interview with Romario that if he was the coach and Romario was the player, they would become an excellent pairing, and he praised the team's core Coutinho and rising star Rayang.

Q: I want to ask you something: If one of us was a player and the other was a coach, what would our relationship be like?

Diniz: You will score 2,000 goals. We'll get along really well. We got along really well when we played together. You are very different from me and you are a superstar. I was never a star when I was playing football. But I think what we have in common is "walk the talk." Go straight. As scrupulous as I may be, I have never shied away from saying something to you or anyone else. We never run away from what we believe in.

Q: Would you ask me to guard a defender?

Diniz: Just a little bit. But I will tell you, if you help defend, you will score more goals. And you like scoring goals so much...

Q: On how to manage star players

Diniz: I get along very well with the star players I have worked with. Marcelo, Ganso, Felipe Melo, Coutinho in Vasco, Daniel Alves in Sao Paulo and Pato. I never wanted to take the place of the stars. I always want them to shine more and more. And those who don't yet think they are stars can realize that they are.

About Coutinho

Diniz: He is like the sun. He brings light to things. He really shines. I'd say he's the most humble player I've ever played with at this level. He is helpful. He doesn’t want to extinguish the light of those around him in order to shine for himself. Absolutely, he makes those around him play better. The players took notice. He is an icon. He makes no enemies. It's a very immediate feeling. It's like the chemistry people have when they fall in love at first sight. From that first conversation, I had a feeling this could happen. He is getting closer to returning to the national team.

About Coutinho’s physical condition

Diniz: It may be unbelievable to say, but Coutinho is one of the people who runs the most and trains hardest. Before I came, he had a problem of having to manage the training and match load. In my case, it was just the opposite. He trained normally and went to the infirmary less often. His work tool body is becoming more and more active. He's getting better and better.

About young player Rayan

Diniz: He should have been (sold) long ago. Three days later, I said he (Rajan) was "not for sale." I invented a word. I told them they could sell whatever they wanted. Sell ​​me, sell the chair, sell the pitch, sell the goal, but don’t sell Rayan. His potential is huge. He's still just getting started. He is very strong. He can do anything. He is the most comprehensive forward in Brazilian football.

On why he coached Vasco da Gama

Diniz: I think there is an indescribable connection between me and Vasco da Gama. I like the fans here very much. This is my wish since you, Romario, were playing here. At that time, there were Romario, Juninho Penambucano, Felipe, Pedrinho... I think the fans here are great. This was something I had longed to experience one day.

On my feelings about coaching Vasco da Gama for the second time

Diniz: I came here in 2021. The people around me at the time didn’t want me to come. But I have this desire to come back and I know I will come back. The presence of the club president played a crucial role in my return. I did everything I could to get here. I really want to help Vasco. This is a painful moment. I wish I could be with Vasco. The staff here are very harmonious. At the training center, nothing is driven by vanity or ego. It's a very united atmosphere, which is in line with the history of the club. I feel very comfortable here.