Eduardo Coudet declined an immediate opportunity to return to management with Internacional of Porto Alegre just 12 days after his departure from River Plate, according to widespread reports confirmed by ESPN Brasil. The Argentine manager opted against taking over the Brazilian club under strict short-term conditions as the team fights to escape the relegation zone in the Brasileirao.
The Inter Approach and Coudet’s Decision
Following a turbulent exit from River Plate, Coudet quickly re-entered the radar of Internacional president Alessandro Barcellos. According to reports corroborated by ESPN Brasil, the club’s leadership reached out directly to explore a potential third stint at the Beira-Rio stadium, where Coudet previously managed in 2020 and again between 2023 and 2024. However, the discussions stalled rapidly.
The primary stumbling block centered on the duration and scope of the proposal. Coudet made it clear he was unwilling to take charge of a squad with a mandate limited strictly to the final 12 matches of the domestic league season. Because the former River boss rejected those short-term parameters, the talks did not advance, and the club’s current technical direction remained under review.
Crisis at the Beira-Rio
Internacional finds itself mired in a severe sporting crisis that prompted the sudden outreach to familiar faces. The club sits 18th in the Brasileirao standings with just 25 points accumulated across 26 fixtures, placing the team firmly inside the relegation zone. Current manager Paulo Pezzolano has seen his position come under intense scrutiny amid mounting losses and fan unrest.
The domestic struggles were compounded by a heavy blow in the Copa de Brasil. After playing to a scoreless draw in the first leg, Inter suffered a 3-1 defeat against archrival Gremio, resulting in a bitter quarterfinal elimination. Domestically, the team’s winless run in the Brasileirao has stretched to ten matches, with their last victory dating back to a 4-1 win over Vasco in May that yielded just four points from a possible 30.
Coaching Uncertainty and Immediate Fixtures
With Coudet removing himself from consideration under the current terms, Internacional opted to retain Pezzolano for the immediate future while evaluating alternative candidates. Brazilian outlets noted that names such as Lisca and Jair Ventura emerged in discussions, while veteran coach Abel Braga was consulted before that option was dismissed.
Internacional sits three points behind Mirassol, the team immediately outside the drop zone, with 12 matches remaining in the campaign. The club faces a crucial test on Saturday, September 12, when they meet Chapecoense in a vital clash at the bottom of the table before subsequent fixtures against Sao Paulo and Corinthians.
