Author: Vishwajit Sawant
Following Odair Hellmann’s official departure, Santos FC began discussions about possible replacements, with former São Paulo goalkeeper turned coach Rogério Ceni emerging as a candidate of interest. Santos officials sought information about Ceni’s management style and spoke to people connected with soccer at São Paulo, where Ceni last managed, to get information about his day-to-day work.
Although Ceni is not currently the main candidate for the job, Santos has identified several alternatives, focusing mainly on the options available on the market. Some key figures within the Santos board admire Ceni’s technical approach, although there are reservations due to his occasionally temperamental record. However, the possibility of intensifying contact with Ceni remains open if the initial attempts to secure a coach are unsuccessful.
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Currently, the favorite candidate among Santos managers is Fábio Carille, who managed the team in the second half of 2021 and at the beginning of last year. Carille, who is currently at V-Varen Nagasaki in Japan, has a significant severance fine, but his dismissal from Santos was more the result of disagreements with then soccer executive Edu Dracena than a reflection of his professional performance.
On the other hand, Ceni has kept a relatively low profile since leaving São Paulo. According to sources close to the coach, it is unlikely that he will accept a new job this season, expressing his preference for an opportunity outside Brazil. Argentinian and Mexican teams have already contacted Ceni for information, which demonstrates his international appeal among coaches.
Santos will continue to evaluate its options, weighing up the qualities and suitability of each potential candidate before making a final decision on who will take on the managerial role.