Santos turmoil deepens as decisive Paulistão week looms and relegation threat grows | OneFootball

Santos have entered a decisive week under strain, with tensions across the club after seven matches without a win. The team now risk missing the Paulistão quarter-finals and even relegation.

According to Globo.com, if they fail to beat Noroeste on Sunday and Velo Clube defeat Bragantino, Santos would go into the final round in the drop zone. They would then need to beat Velo at Vila Belmiro to avoid relegation to Série A-2.

President Marcelo Teixeira faces anger over administrative mistakes, becoming a prime target for fans. Football executive Alexandre Mattos, away this week for personal reasons, is criticised for a quiet market and failed moves. He argues finances are tight and rushing deals raises the risk of disappointment.

Coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda expected a deeper squad with two strong options per role, which has not arrived. Some inside the club question his in-game reading and persistence with out-of-form players, notably Lautaro Diaz, who has been booed during team announcements at Vila Belmiro. Protesters in organised groups have largely spared the coach publicly, though doubts remain behind the scenes.

Teixeira is not considering changes, the hierarchy back Mattos and Vojvoda remains protected while the squad is deemed incomplete. With an internal cold war perceived between staff and the football department, Vojvoda gathered employees and players before the clássico to call for unity. After a 1-1 draw with São Paulo at Vila Belmiro in the Brasileirão, Santos head to Bauru at 16:00 Brasília time aiming to ease the turmoil.

Source: Globo.com