Roger Machado arrives at São Paulo, firm and unafraid of controversy | OneFootball

There was no other way, tricolor fans, Roger Machado was indeed presented as the new coach of São Paulo. In a press conference held on Tuesday night (10) at the Barra Funda training center, the coach highlighted that one of the main reasons for Hernán Crespo's departure was his sincere statements, which were not well-received internally.

The Argentine caused discomfort with his remarks that the team would aim for 45 points in the Brasileirão, that only with another coach could they be champions, among others. Roger, on the other hand, arrived with a speech aligned with the management, namely Rui Costa and Rafinha: he spoke of greatness and the chances of being a champion with the club.

That kind of talk often serves to appease the fans, who are increasingly loyal to the truthful statements about São Paulo's situation, as Crespo did. The foreigner, by the way, was not unanimously supported among the tricolors, but his departure united forces against the management.

Amidst the storm, with perhaps exaggerated criticism, much more due to the club's big blunder in changing coaches at this moment, Roger did not shy away from controversial questions about his initial rejection by the fans.

He spoke firmly, said that he can only change the scenario with a lot of work and stated that he knows he has to win over a nation of 22 million São Paulo fans, but said they will embrace him.

“I see a way for this team to play and I want the fans to identify with it and want to go to the field to see their team play. There is no other way, it's work. I know I have to earn the fans' trust, it's never been different. I'm sure they will embrace me,” Machado said.

Like most, this journalist writing to you was also not in favor of Crespo's departure, much less the arrival of the mediocre Roger, who is known for great starts but then absurdly steep declines. However, there is nothing more to be done. Millions of hashtags may appear on the internet, protests may happen, memes with Rui Costa's face as a clown may be made, the change is done.

So what is left for us to do, tricolor fans? Support unconditionally, as always. And hope that we are all wrong and that Roger indeed improves the team. Obviously, he is an intelligent professional with great football knowledge and has already been with other giants in Brazil.

It is necessary to give him a vote of confidence. And demand, of course, as soon as it is deserved. The great truth was made explicit in today's presentation: Crespo was not pleasing internally, much more than tactical errors on the field or relationships with the squad, which should be key factors in the management's choices. But the mistake is already made. Let's see now if they can fix all this mess that seems unwilling to leave São Paulo.

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