Portaluppi hopes Fluminense run wins Brazilian coaches more respect

Fluminense's trip to the Club World Cup semifinal should net Brazilian coaches more respect, the club's manager Renato Portaluppi said on Tuesday, after its improbable deep run in the tournament ended in a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.

The former striker, who steered the team to the 1995 Rio de Janeiro championship as a player, turned it from a relegation battler into tournament threat in the span of just three months as manager, and the club received a hero's sendoff from fans at Met-Life Stadium.

A critic of the influx of foreign coaches in Brazilian club soccer, Portaluppi hopes the strong showing will shine a light on talent among Brazilian managers.

"I hope that not only the rest of the world, but Brazil, as well, can look at Brazilian coaches in a different way and appreciate them a little more," said Portaluppi, known as Renato Gaucho.

"I have nothing against coaches from other places in the world, but people talk a lot about them and pay little attention to Brazilian coaches.

"This Club World Cup allowed for Brazilian coaches to be seen in a better light, and I hope that continues to be the case."

South American fans brought a party atmosphere to the Club World Cup, and their teams produced some thrilling results against their European counterparts, in a tournament that organizers hoped would showcase the sport's global talent.

As the final South American team in the tournament, Fluminense's players can leave with their heads held high, said Portaluppi, promising to maintain momentum for their fans back home.

"Our fans are now more excited. They're happier," he said.

"They will expect the same performance from us back in Brazil."

Reuters