RIO DE JANEIRO, April 17 -- Former Brazil international goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni has become the top candidate for Atletico Mineiro's vacant manager's role, according to media reports.
Atletico have been searching for a head coach since sacking Levir Culpi following the team's 4-1 Copa Libertadores loss to Cerro Porteno on April 10.
Ceni is currently in charge of Fortaleza, whom he guided to Brazil's Serie B title last year, earning the club promotion to the top flight.
According to Globe Esporte, Atletico will make a formal offer to the 46-year-old on Monday, following the final weekend of Brazil's state championships.
Ceni retired at the end of 2017 after 1,250 matches for Sao Paulo in a career spanning 24 seasons. He was capped 16 times for Brazil's national team and was a part of the Selecao squad that won the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
A specialist free-kick and penalty taker, he is recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the highest-scoring keeper of all time with 131 goals.