Santos appoint Cuca as head coach until the end of the year | OneFootball

Santos announced on Thursday that Cuca, 62, will lead the team until the end of the year, replacing Juan Pablo Vojvoda, who was sacked after defeat to Internacional in the Brasileirão.

He arrives with assistant Cuquinha and fitness coach Omar Feitosa. Negotiations advanced quickly, with the club aiming to have him on the touchline against Cruzeiro at Mineirão on Sunday at 16:00 Brasília time, in the 8th round.

The board regard Cuca as a straightforward fit, already familiar with the club, its environment and president Marcelo Teixeira, and seen as capable of absorbing pressure without an adaptation period.

The hierarchy are aware his appointment could prompt a backlash over his involvement and conviction in absentia in Switzerland in 1989 for a sexual act with a minor, when he was a Grêmio player. Internally, they cite a statement he made at Athletico-PR and his later spell at Atlético-MG.

This is his fourth stint. In 2008, during Marcelo Teixeira’s earlier tenure, he left with Santos still in the relegation zone, and Marcio Fernandes kept them up. In 2018 under José Carlos Peres he moved the team to 10th and departed due to cardiac issues.

In 2020 he replaced Jesualdo Ferreira after a Paulista quarter-final exit, led Santos to the Copa Libertadores final lost to Palmeiras, and left in the penultimate league round with a place in the qualifiers secured.

Source: Globo.com