Pressure builds at Santos for exits of Alexandre Mattos and Juan Pablo Vojvoda | OneFootball

Santos are facing internal strain after an early Campeonato Paulista exit and a poor Campeonato Brasileiro Série A start. With one point from three rounds and in the relegation zone, pressure is building on executive Alexandre Mattos and coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda.

According to Diario Do Peixe, board members have told the president they see Mattos as chiefly responsible, pointing to the squad he assembled and the running of the football department. Some players are also unhappy, describing him as hard to work with, and there are calls to review his position rather than focus only on the coaching staff.

Mattos took office on five June 2025, on a deal running to the end of Marcelo Teixeira’s term in 2026. He led signings including Mayke, Lautaro Díaz, Alexis Duarte, Adonis Frías, Willian Arão, Igor Vinícius, Gabriel Menino and Rony. He was also involved in moves that drew criticism, such as Billal Brahimi and Gustavo Caballero, both now out on loan.

Gabriel Barbosa was a long-standing target for Teixeira, with Mattos handling talks that were eased by the player. Moisés, then at Fortaleza and previously coached by Vojvoda, arrived on the manager’s recommendation. Christian Oliva is yet to be announced because of a transfer ban, having been flagged by the analysis department and approved by the staff.

Vojvoda’s position is under review and defeat to Vasco at Vila Belmiro could cost him his job. Players are understood to be united behind the coach, while frustration centres on the boardroom, particularly Mattos.

The strongest push to replace him does not formally come from club officials, but from aides and figures close to the president who frequent the training ground and want a Brazilian coach for an immediate reset. Some inside the board fear dismissing Vojvoda would target the easiest option and leave what they view as the core issue, football operations, unchanged.

Privately, Mattos’s time at Cruzeiro is also being raised. There were reports of player unhappiness, with Matheus Pereira threatening to leave, then after coach Leonardo Jardim arrived the mood changed, players rallied around the staff and Mattos stepped back before accepting the Santos job.

Source: Diario Do Peixe