Rafael Paiva turns down Volta Redonda, recalls his “magical” spell at Vasco | OneFootball

Coach Rafael Paiva, former Vasco manager, turned down Volta Redonda’s offer to take charge of the team next season. Negotiations progressed, and the coach showed interest in the club’s sports project, but the salary agreement was unsatisfactory and was the main reason for his refusal. Even after Voltaço increased their offer, the amount was not enough to convince the 41-year-old coach.

Paiva fit the profile sought by the board — a young coach, with experience in youth categories and a background in major clubs — but after his refusal, Volta Redonda is already searching for a new name in the market.

Without a club, Rafael Paiva has been participating in interviews and recently recalled his time at Vasco on the “Podcast Rádio Itatiba” from his hometown. He described the experience as “fantastic” and stated that he felt prepared to take charge of the professional team in 2024 after working with the U-17 and U-20 squads of Palmeiras, São Paulo, and Vasco itself.

“It was an amazing experience. I worked with great players and won important titles in the youth categories. That prepared me for that moment in Série A,” he said.

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Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco – Caption: Rafael Paiva stayed at Vasco until November 2024, when he lost his job

How Paiva took over Vasco

The coach explained the chronology of his rise to the first team. He took over as interim for the first time after Ramón Díaz left, in the fifth round of the Brasileirão, and led the team for four matches before the arrival of Portuguese manager Álvaro Pacheco, who lasted only four games. After the Portuguese coach was dismissed, Paiva returned to command.

The former coach also emphasized the strength of São Januário when talking about the relationship with the fans.“São Januário is magical. Vasco’s fans push the team a lot. It’s very hard to beat Vasco there. I only lost one game there, against Inter. Advancing in knockout matches at São Januário is magical,” he said.

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Photo: Reproduction.

Campaign at Vasco

Paiva managed Vasco in 35 matches, with 13 wins, ten draws, and 12 losses, achieving a 46.6% success rate. He left the position after four consecutive defeats between rounds 32 and 35 of the Brasileirão. Felipe, the Maestro, took over the last three matches and collected seven points. Fábio Carille was hired next.

Volta Redonda is expected to announce a new candidate for the position left by Paiva soon.

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