How Santos persuaded Vojvoda to change his mind and accept the project | OneFootball

Santos acted quickly in the market and has already closed a deal with a new coach. Juan Pablo Vojvoda agreed with Peixe last Thursday. The Argentine, who was free in the market after leaving Fortaleza, is expected to sign a contract valid until the end of 2026.

The negotiations between the Santos management and Vojvoda began on Wednesday and were concluded quickly. Peixe needed to convince the coach to give up the idea of taking over a team only in 2026. The Argentine, when approached by other clubs, said he only wanted to return to activity in the next season.

Santos, therefore, managed to make the coach change his mind. The Gazeta Esportiva reporting team found that three main points were used by Peixe to convince the Argentine, with two factors being working conditions promised by the club itself.

What kept Jorge Sampaoli away from Santos was the request for reinforcements that escaped the reality of the club. Still, the management understands that reinforcing the team is necessary. Peixe will make an effort in the market and promises to bring at least three new players in this window to bring greater depth to Vojvoda's squad.

In addition, the Santos management also promised that Vojvoda would have a free hand at the CT Rei Pelé. The Argentine would have a shielded environment and enough autonomy to distance athletes from the squad, as well as a free pass to make other decisions he deems necessary.

Vojvoda was also attracted by the great dimension and history of Santos and the opportunity to train Neymar. Such factors made the negotiations happen faster than expected. The commander, therefore, was demotivated from the idea of returning to work only in 2026 and decided to give a chance to the club's project.

Vojvoda arrives at Santos to replace Cleber Xavier, fired from the team's command last Sunday after the harsh defeat to Vasco, at Morumbi, in the Brazilian Championship. The expectation is that the new coach will arrive in Baixada Santista this Friday.

The trend, however, is that he will not yet command the team against Bahia, in the commitment this Sunday. Interim Matheus Bachi should be on the sidelines. The ball rolls at 16h (Brasília time), at Arena Fonte Nova, for the 21st round of the Brazilian Championship.

Vojvoda's debut, therefore, should be against Fluminense, in front of the Santos fans at Vila Belmiro. The match is scheduled for next Sunday (31), at 16h, also for the Brasileirão.

The Argentine coach was without a club since leaving Fortaleza in July this year. He commanded Leão do Pici for four years and was disconnected from the team after a negative sequence this season. In total, there were 144 victories, 77 draws, and 88 defeats in 309 matches.

During this period, the 50-year-old Argentine commander won five titles (Campeonato Cearense, in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and the Copa do Nordeste, in 2022 and 2024), in addition to taking the northeastern team to the final of the 2023 Copa Sul-Americana, lost to LDU. He also has passages through Newell's Old Boys, Defensa y Justicia, Talleres, Huracán, and Unión La Calera.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.