(photo: EM/DA.Press)
Despite SAF publicly denying its interest in Cuca, John Textor, majority shareholder of Botafogo, wanted to hire the coach at the most delicate moment in the 2023 Brazilian Championship.
In November, after the 4-3 defeat to Grêmio, in São Januário, the leader agreed to the arrival of the coach from Paraná. The president of Botafogo, Durcesio Mello, was in charge of making the contact.
“Textor, when the game against Grêmio ended, called me. ‘Look for Cuca’, he said. The contact was made at his (Textor) request. However, Cuca was not available and had not yet annulled the process he was facing in Switzerland. I give my opinion, as a coach. Social has the right to 10% of football, so my power is limited. The final decision is up to Textor and his staff”, revealed Durcesio, in an interview with ge.globo.
At the time, when Cuca’s name appeared in the media, SAF quickly tried to deny its interest. Meanwhile, Botafogo, previously the isolated leader of the Brasileirão with a historic campaign, languished to the point of losing the lead and even the positions that would have placed them in the group stage of the Libertadores, without going through two knockout stages.
Without Cuca, Botafogo closed with Tiago Nunes
Champion of the 2013 Copa Libertadores with Atlético and currently at Athletico-PR, Cuca was sentenced for sexual abuse and coercion when he was still a football player, in an episode in Switzerland at the end of the 80s.
The case resurfaced in the first half of 2023, when the coach went to Corinthians, but was unable to work due to pressure from the fans. Thus, he only stayed at Timão for two games. In January of this year, the Bern Court overturned the conviction.
Without Cuca, Botafogo agreed with Tiago Nunes. The coach stayed at the club for a short time and, without convincing, was fired in February of this year. Thus, Botafogo has been under the responsibility of interim Fábio Matias for more than a month. The club has not yet held a “revealing tea” for the new commander and is working with two names.
