Santos in advanced talks to appoint Cuca after Vojvoda exit | OneFootball

According to Globo.com, Santos are aiming to seal a deal with Cuca on Thursday to replace Juan Pablo Vojvoda, sacked on Wednesday night after a 2-1 home defeat to Internacional in the seventh round at Vila Belmiro. Talks are described as advanced.

The club hope to close negotiations in the coming hours and formalise by Friday, targeting his debut on Sunday against Cruzeiro at the Mineirão, 16:00 Brasília time.

If that timeline slips, fixed assistant César Sampaio is expected to lead the team in the eighth round.

Santos see Cuca as a straightforward fit, familiar with the club and president Marcelo Teixeira, and able to handle pressure without lengthy adaptation.

There are concerns over a potential backlash due to his involvement and conviction in absentia for a sexual act with a minor in Switzerland in 1989 while at Grêmio. Internally, this is tempered by a statement during his Athletico-PR spell and his work at Atlético-MG.

He left Corinthians in 2023 after fan protests.

With talks likely to conclude soon, the board are not pursuing a plan B, though options are monitored. Hernán Crespo has lost traction due to similarities with Vojvoda and the view his São Paulo tenure had peaked, and a foreign hire is not favoured.

Jorge Sampaoli is unlikely after concerns over his recent Atlético-MG stint. Tite is virtually ruled out given no rapport with Gabigol and a turbulent Cruzeiro spell, and he wants to rest and work abroad. Fernando Diniz remains an alternative, if Cuca talks collapse.

Source: Globo.com