Vasco board reviews youth setup, decides coach’s future after Copinha exit | OneFootball

The participation of Vasco da Gama in the 2026 São Paulo Junior Football Cup ended earlier than expected, but the elimination did not shake the foundations of the youth development department. In a decision that prioritizes the process over immediate results, the Vasco board has decided to keep Matheus Curopos in charge of the Under-20 category.

According to information from the channel Atenção Vascaínos, the coach is “valued” internally, even after the exit from the country's main youth tournament.

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Why is Curopos staying?

The retention of the coach is based on a cold and objective analysis of what is a priority at São Januário: developing players for the professional team. Curopos' work is “highly praised” by the youth managers and the professional football board, precisely for his ability to polish talents.

The internal assessment is that Vasco has been consistently supplying the senior team. Names like GB, Estrella, JP, Leandrinho, and Lyncon — who are even expected to be starters in the debut of the Carioca Championship this Thursday — have passed through the hands of the youth coaching staff.

For the club, the Copinha trophy is important, but delivering ready players to Fernando Diniz (who publicly praised the quality of the youngsters) is the true title that supports the institution's financial and sports project.

Project Continuity

By backing Curopos, Vasco sends a clear message of stability. The club understands that dismissing a professional who deeply knows the DNA of the “Boys from the Hill” because of an elimination game would be a strategic mistake.

The focus now turns to the state and national competitions of the category throughout 2026, with a renewed mission to continue being one of the greatest football schools in Brazil, regardless of a minor setback in January.

Curopos remains at the helm of the Vasco youth team – Photo: Dikran Sahagian/Vasco

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