Cuca shown the door – Lopes has it re-opened

A now familiar sight as Cuca's dress rehersal for defeat pays off

Two more coaches may be looking for work after defeats for Santos and Vasco led to the sacking of Cuca and the possible exit of Antônio Lopes.

On Wednesday, Santos went down at home 3-2 to Atlético Mineiro. The Vila Belmiro side had led by two goals. This was the last straw for the Santos fans and the directors and Cuca went shortly after the final whistle. In his 14 games in charge, the coach picked up just three wins and four draws and Santos were rarely out of the bottom four. Junior team manager, Márcio Fernandes, will take over as Santos say they are not looking for another coach.

A 2-0 home to defeat to Coritiba was the cause of Antônio Lopes’ demise at Vasco. However, after apparently being fired on Wednesday night by the Vasco directors, club president Roberto Dinamite, declared that Lopes was still in the job, at least until Thursday morning when a meeting will be held to decide his future. But at 67, many are wondering if it’s time for the Brasileiro and Libertadores winner to finally call it a day.

If Lopes goes, it will mean that after 18 rounds of the competition, eleven of the twenty clubs have changed coach at least once.

Advertisements