Former Netherlands international Clarence Seedorf was presented Wednesday as coach of Brazilian club Corinthians, marking his first managerial job since 2019. The 50-year-old, who won the Champions League four times as a player, has signed a contract through the end of the 2027 season.
Seedorf takes over from former Brazil national team coach Fernando Diniz, who left the role after Corinthians suffered eight consecutive losses in the Brazilian league. The club currently sits in 16th place after 30 games, with 32 points. Local fans regard Seedorf as a surprise pick for the job.
As a player, Seedorf represented elite clubs including Ajax, Sampdoria, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan. He remains the only player in history to win the Champions League with three different clubs -- Ajax, Real Madrid and Milan. He also played for Brazil's Botafogo in 2012-13 and speaks fluent Portuguese.
On the coaching side, Seedorf has previously managed Cameroon's national team, AC Milan, Chinese club Shenzhen FC and Spanish side Deportivo de La Coruna. He said his time away from the game would not hinder him in his new role at one of Brazil's most popular clubs.
"This is a great opportunity for me. It is one of the biggest clubs in the world, and an opportunity like this does not come across your path every day," Seedorf said at a news conference. "There are plenty of talented people working here. We'll have time to analyze the opposition, football is a universal sport."
Seedorf's debut as Corinthians coach is set for Monday at the NeoQuimica Arena against Vitoria.
