Casares' changes at Barra Funda put São Paulo squad harmony at risk | OneFootball

Perhaps experiencing the most unstable moment of his administration, the president of São Paulo, Julio Casares, decided to implement changes in the daily routine at the Barra Funda training center, seen as a risk to the environment of the tricolor squad.

In addition to starting to work at the professional team's workplace, Julio Casares brought along São Paulo's general superintendent, Márcio Carlomagno, to assist him at the training center.

Carlomagno is averse to the spotlight, rarely appearing, but he is an influential figure in the corridors of Morumbi. Now, Casares' right-hand man arrives at Barra Funda to try to optimize some processes and help the team get back on track in this final stretch of the year.

Tense Atmosphere at the Training Center

The responsibility for managing São Paulo's football department currently lies with Carlos Belmonte. However, Márcio Carlomagno's presence at the training center can be interpreted as a loss of power for the current tricolor football director.

Belmonte was one of Casares' political allies in electing him president of São Paulo in 2020. The current football director was considered his successor in the 2026 elections, but the tricolor leader apparently has other plans.

Márcio Carlomagno is considered the “president's candidate” in next year's presidential race. Belmonte, on the other hand, has a significant electoral base from his political group and could become an opponent of Julio Casares' slate.

Divergences

In recent weeks, the relationship between Julio Casares and Carlos Belmonte has become strained not only due to the president's lack of support for the football director regarding a possible presidential candidacy in 2026 but also because of the Cotia FIP.

The investment fund being articulated by Casares aims to raise R$ 250 million for São Paulo for hiring players and professionals for the youth categories, as well as paying off football-related debts. In exchange, investors would be entitled to 30% of the net revenue from the sale of athletes developed in Cotia.

While Casares believes this model could ease São Paulo's finances and structure the club to earn much more from the negotiation of homegrown players in a few years, Belmonte sees the move as selling part of Cotia for a low value.

For the FIP to be viable, it will need approval from the Deliberative Council, and Carlos Belmonte has significant influence in São Paulo's politics. Therefore, there is a risk that Julio Casares' idea may not receive the majority of the councilors' approval.

With nine games remaining in the Brazilian Championship, São Paulo's focus is on trying to qualify for the next edition of the Libertadores. However, the backstage atmosphere at the club could be an obstacle to achieving this goal, especially due to the discreet power struggle that may arise at the Barra Funda training center.

Julio Casares does not guarantee Belmonte's stay until the end of his term, but he has not shown any willingness to dismiss him. The tricolor football director, in turn, also does not intend to resign. The consequences of the plot remain to be seen.

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