Corinthians hire four‑time Champions League winner, Lingard finds ally

On a humid evening at the Neo Química Arena, the sight of Jesse Lingard in a Corinthians training shirt was a reminder that a former Premier League star now shares a locker room with a four‑time Champions League winner, the Brazilian club’s newest head coach.

Clarence Seedorf, the 50‑year‑old Dutch midfielder, has taken the reins at Corinthians, signing a contract that runs until the end of next year according to one report, while another source states the deal extends to the end of 2027. The appointment ends a seven‑year hiatus from management for the former Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan champion.

Seedorf’s decorated playing career

Seedorf’s résumé includes Champions League triumphs with Ajax in 1995, Real Madrid in 1998 and AC Milan in 2003 and 2007, making him the only player to win the competition with three different clubs. He earned 87 caps for the Netherlands national team and featured at the 1998 World Cup. After retiring in 2014 he managed Milan, Shenzhen FC, Deportivo La Coruña and the Cameroon national side, the latter stint ending in July 2019.

Corinthians’ precarious league position

The São Paulo side have slipped into the relegation zone, sitting 17th in the 2026 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A according to one account, while another places them 16th with 32 points, just one above Internacional. Their recent 2‑0 defeat to league leaders Palmeiras on Sunday evening deepened concerns, though they did capture the Supercopa do Brasil earlier with a 2‑0 win over Flamengo.

Lingard’s impact at the Brazilian side

Lingard arrived in March after terminating his contract with FC Seoul, bringing experience as an FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League winner with Manchester United and a spell at West Ham United. He has made 182 Premier League appearances and, for Corinthians, scored two goals and provided one assist in 29 outings, including the decisive strike against Barra in the Copa do Brasil that made him the competition’s only English scorer.

His second goal came in a 2‑0 Copa Libertadores victory over Penarol. Lingard was an unused substitute in the 2‑1 league loss to Internacional on Wednesday night, highlighting his role as a regular but not always starter.

The appointment, reported by Getty, was welcomed by Seedorf who said: “Taking on this challenge is an honour, but also a huge responsibility. I am here to give my all and build a team that fights for every ball, every minute, every victory.”

With Seedorf’s tactical pedigree and Lingard’s attacking flair, the club hopes to reverse its fortunes before the season concludes in December.