Soteldo is reinstated at Santos after Paulo Turra’s dismissal

O striker Yeferson Soteldo trained with his other Santos teammates this Monday, at CT Rei Pelé, and ended a period of just over a month working at alternative times.

He had been sidelined since July 1, as a result of a decision taken by coach Paulo Turra, who has now been fired and supported by the board, after committing an act of indiscipline, about which further details were never provided.

The dismissals of Turra and sports coordinator Paulo Roberto Falcão, over the weekend, paved the way for the 26-year-old Venezuelan to be reinstated.

At work this Monday, he and the other players were guided by Santos’ permanent assistant, former defender Claudiomiro Santiago. As of Tuesday, training will be led by the Uruguayan Diego Aguirre, announced on Sunday as the new Santos coach.

During the period away, Soteldo did not leave the spotlight, as he remained active on social networks and even mocked Turra in a post. At the time, the coach published a motivational message on his Instagram profile:

“We will never be successful if we don’t accept the pain of discipline”. In response, the player published a photo and video training at the Santos academy. “Discipline”, he wrote., in addition to publishing a photo lying on the couch, while watching an episode of Pokémon, accompanied by the phrase “God’s time is perfect”.

Turra’s resignation paved the way for Soteldo to return to Santos

Last Saturday, while Santos faced Athletico-PR, the striker published a photo visiting a zoo with his wife. After the match, which ended with a 1-1 draw, Paulo Turra was fired and the possibility of Soteldo being reinstated gained strength. The coach’s departure was the last obstacle to this, since Paulo Roberto Falcão, staunch defender of the removal, had been fired on Friday.

During the presentation conference of defender João Basso, on Thursday, Falcão was asked about the chance of Soteldo returning and was convinced when he said that the decision would be maintained, because, according to him, the act of indiscipline committed by the athlete “violates all regulations of Santos as a club”.

The following day, the former midfielder resigned “out of respect for the fans, due to the recent protests against the team’s performance on the field”, as he said in an official note published on his Instagram. In it, he also spoke about the accusation of harassment that surfaced on the same day. An employee at the apart hotel where Falcão lives, on the coast of São Paulo, accuses him of sexual harassment. “About the accusation made this Friday, which I received with surprise from the media, I say that it did not happen,” she said.

Without Turra and Falcão and with Soteldo and Aguirre, Santos will continue its fight against relegation on Sunday, at 6:30 pm, at Arena Castelão, where it will challenge Fortaleza in a duel for the 19th round of the Brasileirão. The alvinegro team is in 17th position, the first within the relegation zone, with 18 points.