Santos keeps Marcelo Fernandes as coach at Brasileirão

Santos management confirmed this Thursday that Marcelo Fernandes, the team’s interim coach, will continue to lead the team over the weekend, in the important match against Vasco, at Vila Belmiro. Both teams are trying to leave the Brasileirão relegation zone.

The Santos board made the announcement to the players themselves, during the re-presentation of the squad, this Thursday morning. The match is scheduled for October 1st (Sunday), for the 25th round. This is Santos’ next game in the competition.

The team’s assistant coach, Marcelo Fernandes took charge of the group on Friday, after the dismissal of Diego Aguirre. On Monday, he led the team to a 2-1 victory over Bahia. The result brought relief to the squad, board and fans.

Despite the triumph, Santos remains in a delicate situation in the standings. It is in 17th place, the first within the relegation zone, with 24 points. Bahia is just above, already outside the sticking zone, with 25. Vasco, the next rival from Santos, is right behind, in 18th, with 20.

With the announcement, Santos management gains time to look for a replacement for Aguirre. The most highly rated is Fábio Carille, responsible for avoiding the team’s relegation in the 2021 Brasileirão. He had left the club during last year’s Paulistão. Currently, the coach leads V-Varen Nagasaki, in Japan.

While the club does not define its coach, Santos will continue under the command of Fernandes, who has a long history with the team. The 52-year-old former defender has previously served as a player, assistant coach and interim coach at the club. In his new spell at Santos, he returned to the team last month to join the club’s permanent technical committee.