There’s no time to mess about in Brazil. The games come quick and they come often. I had to figure out my best team as quickly as possible and identify who I could use in the first team.

I picked the club up, hired some staff and three days later I was in charge of my first game.

Atletico Mineiro were first up. They’d been having a very poor season and lay in 17th place. I was hoping for a victory in my first game and the team delivered the perfect start by scoring one minute into my first match. We played really well and ended the game as 3-1 victors, Manoel grabbing a brace with Leandrinho nabbing the third. We weren’t perfect, but for the first time playing this system, I was happy.

I was happy with our first four league outings. We won the next three league matches against Ponte Preta (3-1), Cruzeiro (3-1) and Vitoria (2-1). Sandwiched between those games were the Copa do Brasil ties against Vitoria where we drew 1-1 and lost 2-1.

We had a good run towards the end of the season however. A thrilling 4-4 draw with Santos being one of the highlights. We also managed to beat eventual champions Sao Paulo 3-2 in the Choque Rei Derby.

There’s some disappointing results in amongst those, late goals in the games against Corinthians and Internacional made me quite angry, as did the 1-1 draw Chapecoense.

The important thing was progress. We were tasked with finishing in the top half and that’s exactly what we did. I took over just after match 19 and we managed to safely secure 3rd in the league. So next season, we’ll be in the Copa Libertadores.

Very happy with that end to the season and the progress we made. The players were quite good, although I’ve obviously got some strengthening to do. I need certain areas of the team worked on and I’m going to lose a few of those loan players.

Leandrinho and Raul were the standout players during my team here. Raul managed to pick up the player of the season award at the club.

I’ll be dipping into the transfer market and youth teams to enforce the squad for the season ahead. I’ve got some good youngsters that I’ll definitely be taking into the first team squad, but I’ll need at least three or four new signings to fill the gaps.

Really looking forward to the season ahead. The end of this season has got me excited for Brazil.

Thanks for reading!