The announcement was made by Peixe’s new CEO, Pedro Martins, who was also presented this Monday (23) by president Marcelo Teixeira
Santos announced this Monday afternoon (23), former Red Bull Bragantino, as their new coach. The announcement was made by the new CEO of Santos, former football director at Botafogo. The director was also presented in his position this Monday by the club’s president, Marcelo Teixeira. “Choosing a coach is a complex operation. The name attracted a lot of attention and speaks to Santos’ ambition, desire and vision. The football project transcends winning the next game. Pedro Caixinha understood what the president is seeing up front and this has been the total priority since I signed with Santos”, stated Pedro Martins.
The Portuguese coach negotiated with Grêmio before being announced by Santos. The Brazilian Series B champion was also considered, and Gustavo Quinteros after. “The challenges of this management are to build a vision of the future and an identity that will dialogue with modernity. Operationalizing this vision of the future made perfect sense to me. Stop being a football director to sit in this chair [de CEO] It’s more than a challenge for me”, said Pedro Martins.
Santos president Marcelo Teixeira said that all of the club’s priorities in 2024 have been achieved. “We made quick planning for Paulista and competed for the title [perdeu a final para o Palmeiras]with that we reached a place in the Copa do Brasil. Then we gained access to Series A and the competition title [Série B]”, stated Teixeira before announcing Martins. After the Libertadores and Brasileiro titles with Botafogo, Martins said that the new role is more strategic.
“The history and potential that Santos has allows it to position itself much better than it does today in the football industry”, stated the new CEO. Martins cited some “pillars” that influenced the choice of Caixinha as the new coach. “He works very well with young people. They have always been very intense and aggressive, a team that seeks the goal, always hungry”, he stated. “Besides, he wants a project. He wants to know the club’s intentions and how his work will be evaluated.”
Teixeira said he would not like to participate much in the press conference to give space to Martins, but asked to speak when the negotiation with fellow Portuguese Luís Castro was mentioned. “Relevant announcements can only be made from now on. Many asked if any negotiations were advanced, but this answer is very subjective. The decision comes from a professional decision.”
Asked about a possible return of , the new CEO said he will not mention names so as not to hinder possible negotiations and provoke speculation. “Let’s talk when the names are here,” said Martins, highlighting that planning in the first year after competing in Series B is always complicated. “It is necessary to make a change in planning as a whole, to a Series A level.”
Pedro Martins said he has “deep knowledge” of the Santos squad and that the ideal number of players is 28. Caixinha’s official presentation should be in 2025, but the coach must be in Santos between Christmas and New Year to start planning.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
Published by Matheus Lopes
