Santos’ return to the Brasileirão hasn’t been as idyllic as expected. Quite the opposite, in fact. Following their latest loss at the Maracanã against Fluminense, Pedro Caixinha has been fired, and many names are already being considered as replacements. Among them, the favorite according to 'Globo Esporte' is Jorge Sampaoli, who coached Argentina during the 2018 World Cup.

Santos wants Sampaoli back

Not even the return of Neymar, who made his comeback this matchday in the Brasileirão after a month-long injury, was enough to secure the team’s first win of the season. Santos currently sits in the relegation zone to Serie B with two losses and only one draw. It’s a dramatic situation for the ‘Peixe,’ especially considering the nightmare they experienced two seasons ago when they suffered the first relegation in their history.

Because of this, the club’s board has started exploring names with extensive experience in Brazilian football to try and turn things around. Among the candidates were two former Brazil national team coaches: Tite and Dorival Jr. However, it seems the club is now all-in on bringing Jorge Sampaoli back to Vila Belmiro, where he already coached Santos in 2018 after leaving the Argentina bench following the 2018 World Cup.

Santos has fond memories of Sampaoli

Truth be told, Sampaoli’s time at Santos left a very positive impression. He led the team for 64 matches, earning 34 wins, 15 draws, and 15 losses, which resulted in a runner-up finish in that Brasileirão season. Without a doubt, he left a good taste in the mouths of Brazilian fans and was later hired by Atlético Mineiro and Flamengo.

His most recent coaching job was with Stade de Rennes, where he arrived in November 2024... and lasted just ten games before being dismissed, after recording seven losses and only three wins. Still, the fond memories of Sampaoli in Vila Belmiro might just be enough to bring him back to Brazil with the goal of restoring Santos to its former glory.