Roger Machado cleared to lead São Paulo, debut on the cards

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Gazeta Esportiva.com

·10 marzo 2026

Roger Machado cleared to lead São Paulo, debut on the cards

New coach of São Paulo, Roger Machado has been registered in the CBF's BID (Daily Information Bulletin) and can now debut for the Tricolor. The 51-year-old from Rio Grande do Sul begins his first stint with the club and has signed a contract valid until the end of 2026.

The coach's first commitment with São Paulo is scheduled for this Thursday, when they host Chapecoense at 9:30 PM (Brasília time) at Canindé, for the fifth round of the Brazilian Championship.

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Roger Machado registered in the BID. (Photo: Reproduction / CBF)

Roger, who arrives to take over the position previously held by Hernán Crespo, was one of São Paulo's main options. A day after the dismissal of the Argentine coach, the parties reached an agreement for the hiring of the coach from Rio Grande do Sul, who arrived in São Paulo's capital on Tuesday morning and already led a training session.

Roger Machado's last job was at Internacional, during the years 2024 and 2025. In his first season, he led the Colorado to fifth place in the Brazilian Championship and, the following year, won the Campeonato Gaúcho.

After the state title, however, the team declined in performance, winning only 21 of the next 47 games. Thus, Roger Machado was dismissed to make way for Ramón Díaz.

After ending his playing career in 2009, Roger Machado began his coaching career in 2011 at Grêmio. In the team from Rio Grande do Sul, he was part of the permanent technical staff until 2014, when he took over Juventude.

Before reaching Internacional, Roger Machado had stints at Grêmio, Fluminense, Bahia, Palmeiras, Atlético-MG, and Novo Hamburgo. Besides the 2025 Campeonato Gaúcho, the coach won two other trophies: the 2017 Campeonato Mineiro with Galo and the 2022 Campeonato Gaúcho with Imortal.

Current situation of São Paulo

Roger Machado will have to face a difficult moment for São Paulo, which is going through an administrative crisis, with the departure of president Julio Casares and ongoing investigations related to off-field issues. He will be forced to manage various problems, including financial ones, as well as limited investments in the squad. There is a doubt, especially among the fans, whether he is the right name for the current moment of the Tricolor.

However, São Paulo's president, Harry Massis Júnior, praised the hiring of Roger Machado. “Roger's arrival is the result of our conviction, from everything we, along with our football board, observed and heard about his work. He is a coach who comes highly recommended for his good work, which resulted in achievements at different clubs and immense respect from those who worked with him professionally,” celebrated the president.

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