Coach Luís Zubeldía, from São Paulo, is optimistic for 2025. The 43-year-old Argentine believes in the São Paulo club’s project for next season and is committed to remaining in the team, in addition to planning the Libertadores da América 2025.
Replacement for Thiago Carpini, fired in April, Zubeldía will be able to start the season with Tricolor Paulista. In an interview with the website “ge.globo”, the coach spoke about the Copa Libertadores da América dispute.
– I am convinced that it will be this year, in 2025. I am convinced that in 2025 we will be Libertadores champions. Some will say: no, it’s putting too much pressure. I am convinced – Zubeldía declared to the vehicle.
This season, São Paulo fell in the semifinals of the tournament, to Botafogo, the great champion.
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Will Zubeldía stay at São Paulo in 2025? How long does the contract last?
Before being announced in São Paulo, Luis Zubeldía led LDU, from Ecuador, to win the 2023 Copa Sudamericana, against Fortaleza.
At Tricolor Paulista, the Argentine wants to continue fighting for international competitions and does not hide the harassment from other teams – including a national team.
– I received a proposal from the Ecuador national team and another important team, but my duty is with São Paulo. I told the board: ‘Real Madrid can come and I won’t go’. Due to my decision, I cannot cause harm to São Paulo. I am committed, I throw myself into the project – he emphasized.
Zubeldía has a contract with São Paulo until December 31, 2025. In November, Carlos Belmonte, the club’s director, guaranteed that he would remain in technical command.
Before Soberano, he coached Lanús, Barcelona, from Ecuador, Racing, from Argentina, Cerro Porteño, from Paraguay, and Alavés.
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Zubeldía’s season in São Paulo
São Paulo competed in three competitions under Luis Zubeldía’s command: Copa do Brasil, Brasileirão and Libertadores.
Defending the Copa do Brasil title, Tricolor was eliminated by Atlético-MG, in the quarter-finals, after losing to Galo 1-0 in the first leg and drawing goalless in the return match.
The São Paulo club secured a place in the Libertadores 2025 by finishing the Brazilian Championship in sixth place. The campaign was 17 wins, eight draws and 13 defeats, with 59 points added.
In the Libertadores, they also fell in the quarterfinals to Botafogo, on penalties.
2024 season numbers:
- 45 games
- 21 wins
- 12 draws
- 12 defeats
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When is São Paulo’s next game?
São Paulo’s next official game will be on January 19th. Tricolor will face Botafogo-SP, in the second round of the Campeonato Paulista, away from home – at a time to be defined.
The first round match, against Inter de Limeira, was postponed due to the tricolor pre-season in the United States. It is there that the club will start the season with friendly matches. The first will be against Cruzeiro, on January 15, for the FC Series.
São Paulo’s next games
- 15/01 – Cruzeiro x São Paulo – FC Series – friendly tournament
- 19/01 – São Paulo x Flamengo – FC Series – friendly tournament
- 19/01 – Botafogo-SP x São Paulo – Campeonato Paulista
- 01/22 – São Paulo x Guarani – Campeonato Paulista
- 01/26 – São Paulo x Corinthians – Campeonato Paulista
