Although Luis Zubeldía is facing his toughest period since arriving at Fluminense, his statistics remain superior to those of his predecessors. After being booed and called “stupid” during the 2–2 draw with Vitória at Maracanã, the Argentine coach has seen his work come under increasing scrutiny from fans. Yet the criticism contrasts sharply with the figures—his overall performance still beats that of Fernando Diniz, Renato Gaúcho, and Mano Menezes during their recent tenures.
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Zubeldía has managed Fluminense in 48 matches, recording 26 wins, 11 draws, and 11 losses, giving him a 61.8% win rate. In comparison, Diniz ended his last spell at the club with 58.0%, Renato Gaúcho with 57.7%, and Mano Menezes with 51.0%. The numbers, compiled in partnership with Sofascore, also highlight a solid defence: the team has conceded only 44 goals in those 48 games, an average of 0.9 per match—the same as Mano’s record and better than Diniz’s and Renato’s.
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Despite these positive long-term stats, recent results have piled on the pressure. Fluminense have won only two of their last eight matches and stumbled in key competitions, especially the Copa Libertadores. The defeat to Independiente Rivadavia at home and the dramatic draw in Argentina have left the club in a delicate position in South America’s premier tournament. In the Brazilian league, although they remain in the upper half of the table, the team’s form has dipped in recent rounds.
Following the draw against Vitória, Zubeldía acknowledged the strain. “When results don’t come and the team doesn’t play or win the way everyone expects, we all know the consequences,” he said. “Supporters always have the right to cheer or criticize—they pay for tickets. We need to show we can win again and meet the club’s goals. Right now we’re third in the league. We expected to win today, we didn’t, so criticism is normal. The coach is an easy target. There’s still the Libertadores, which depends on us, and the Copa do Brasil games next week. We shouldn’t overanalyse what others think. We simply have to work so the results change, the team regains confidence, plays well, and starts winning again.”
In his view, Fluminense’s main problem is converting dominance into victories. Against Vitória, they took the lead, controlled the game, and conceded little defensively until a penalty from Alisson led to an equalizer. Minutes later, they fell behind. A late goal from Serna off a John Kennedy assist rescued a point, preventing what could have been a deeper crisis. Zubeldía’s recent tactical choices have also intensified fan discontent, adding to the pressure ahead of upcoming matches.
