Corinthians had already shown interest in Paz previously. The club consulted the executive in 2024
Marcelo Paz will be Corinthians’ new football executive. The director will leave his position as CEO of Fortaleza and take over the vacancy left by Fabinho Soldado. The parties have already exchanged draft contracts, which will last for one year, until December 2026. The announcement will only be made after the deal is made official.
Paz presided over Fortaleza between 2017 and 2023 and took over as CEO after the club became SAF. He is also the president of Liga Forte União (LFU), a bloc that negotiates broadcasting rights for parts of Brazilian clubs, including Corinthians.
Even though Fortaleza’s 2025 was marked by relegation, Paz was the one who led the club’s reconstruction. With him, the team went from Série C to Libertadores and even played in the South American final in 2023.
Corinthians had already shown interest in Paz previously. The club consulted the executive in 2024, to assume the role of CEO under the Augusto Melo management. However, the director declined the invitation.
Marcelo Paz’s name came back to the surface after a frustrated negotiation with Bruno Spindel. The former Flamengo director stated that he had not received the contract for signature after accepting the São Paulo club’s proposal and, given the lack of progress, decided to end the talks.
Fabinho Soldado, who held the position until the end of the season, left the club. There was pressure from advisors on President Osmar Stábile so that the leader did not continue as a Corinthian executive.
Soldado had been hired during the management of Augusto Melo, who was impeached in 2025. He was retained after the removal of the then president and his asset was his good relationship with players and the coaching staff.
After winning the Copa do Brasil, still on the Maracanã lawn, the now former leader of the black and white team spoke in a farewell tone and expressed discomfort with the club’s political situation.
“It seems that professionalism is still something that bothers. I think that’s the right word, I think that professionalism still bothers. While the world is, all the other clubs, you look at the practice of the big clubs that are leading the championships, increasingly investing in professionalism, in professionals, training, technology, improving the CT”, said Fabinho.
Days later, he published a video, in a less bellicose tone. In the publication, Soldado thanks Corinthians and mentions president Osmar Stábile. He should be announced soon by Internacional as an executive at the club from Rio Grande do Sul.
*Estadão Content
