O Botafogo tried to hire Cuca in the final stretch of the 2023 Brazilian Championship. The person who confirmed the information was the president Durcesio Melloin an interview with “GE”, saying it was a request for John Textor.
– When the game against Grêmio, in São Januário, ended, the referee blew the whistle, he (Textor) called me and said: “Call Cuca”. I called, because I wanted to bring it, and he said he wasn’t available yet because his case hadn’t been annulled, as it later became, and he didn’t want to accept it because he had suffered a lot during his time at Corinthians due to the repercussions it gave – said Durcesio, who he added.
– I called him (Textor) back and said that Cuca was not available. Then, he moved on to other options. That was it, this contact really existed. It wasn’t my interference, but a request from him because he knew I knew Cuca – he argued.
The black-and-white president has no power over football decisions, but seeks to give advice.
– I make my guess as a fan, but he (Textor) will not necessarily accept it or take it forward. I’ve already given my opinion as a player and as a coach, but the final decision is always his and his staff’s. Always remember that Botafogo club only has 10% of SAF, so my power is limited as president of the club – he concluded.
Botafogo, at the time, had Lucio Flavio and hired Tiago Nunes. After the game with Grêmio, the team fell from leader to fifth place, finishing the Brasileirão even outside the G-4, which gave a direct place in the group stage of the Libertadores.
Cuca was trying to annul the rape case against a minor, for which he was convicted in 1989, a judicial objective he achieved before agreeing with Athletico-PR for the current season.
