São Paulo: Casares shrugs off Luiz Gustavo, reveals 2026 plans | OneFootball

President of São Paulo, Julio Casares spoke about the controversial post-game interview of midfielder Luiz Gustavo and downplayed the athlete's outburst. The president viewed the player's statements as normal, especially given the adverse context faced by the Tricolor in the match.

After the 6-0 defeat to Fluminense, the experienced Luiz Gustavo, who has played for Bayern Munich and the Brazilian National Team, vented and indirectly adopted a critical tone regarding the club's management in recent years.

“I see Luiz Gustavo's frustration as normal, which is also ours. He is a great professional, and the message that touched the most was that he did not point out A, B, or C; it is a collective issue. In this matter of collective errors, the coaching staff, the management, the players, and the president are involved. Now it's time to look forward and hope that everything that happens... we have a reflection to make, it's important,” evaluated Casares.

The president of São Paulo also revealed that Rui Costa, the club's current football executive, had an internal conversation with Luiz Gustavo to understand the player's frustration. The president also mentioned the club's wave of injuries, with more than ten players in the medical department.

“When he says nothing happens by chance, you see 15 injured players and a lot of difficulties. I understand that this lack of competitive condition, among other factors, was also due to an excess of injuries. It's not normal. When he had the lung condition, São Paulo stood by him at all times. We all look at this naturally, we trust the professionals. This reflection he made involves various sectors. These are collective errors, involving the president, management, coaching staff, and athletes. Having this realization, it's time to look forward,” he declared.

With departures, what will football look like for 2026?

Earlier this Wednesday, São Paulo announced the departures of the football director, Carlos Belmonte, and directors Nelson Marques Ferreira and Fernando Bracalle Ambrogi. Casares explained that the changes planned for the end of the Brasileirão had to be brought forward after the defeat.

“I am here today very sad, a disastrous moment in yesterday's game. The changes were necessary. We were planning changes after the end of the Brasileirão and had to bring the process forward. The arrival of CEO Márcio Carlomagno, the head of all, is here precisely to support professionalization processes. Today football will be led by Rui Costa and Muricy, and he will support. He is here to support and accelerate planning for 2026,” explained the Tricolor president.

Casares also outlined how the command of São Paulo's football department will be for the next season. Rui Costa will continue as executive, while Muricy Ramalho will be the coordinator. Meanwhile, Márcio Carlomagno, general superintendent, will act as a kind of CEO. The president assured that no advisor will take on roles in the area.

“We will not have any advisor. Football will be run by professionals, Rui Costa as executive and Muricy as coordinator. This is the setup for 2026. Márcio Carlomagno assumes the position of a CEO. In any company, the CEO is the head of all. When he is called to be at the stadium, at the base, in marketing. Now, he will prioritize where the main core of São Paulo is, the reason for our passion and love,” concluded Casares.

(Photo: Thais Bueno/Gazeta Press)

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