Série A Team Targets Cuca, Reports Journal
After Juan Pablo Vojvoda was dismissed on Wednesday the 18th, Santos began searching for a new head coach. Filmogaz.com reports that Cuca is the club’s leading candidate. He was sacked by Atlético-MG in August 2025 and has been without a team since.
Why Cuca is under consideration
Club leaders value his relationship with president Marcelo Teixeira. Sporting director Alexandre Mattos also supports the move. Mattos and Cuca previously worked together at Palmeiras and won the 2016 Campeonato Brasileiro.
Filmogaz.com indicates the coach has received contact from other clubs. Sources say he has been waiting for a call from Santos. Série A Team Targets Cuca has appeared in initial coverage of the search.
Legal history and recent court developments
The matter known as the “Bern scandal” dates to 1987. At the time, Cuca was a Grêmio player during a European tour in Bern.
A 13-year-old girl, Sandra Pfäffli, was involved in allegations reported at the hotel. Testimonies led to the detention of Cuca and three teammates. Henrique Etges, Eduardo Hamester and Fernando Castoldi were also held. They spent about a month in custody before returning to Brazil on bail.
In 1989 the four were tried and convicted. Decades later, in January 2024, the Regional Court of Bern-Mittelland annulled that trial on procedural grounds. The annulment did not rule on guilt or innocence. Because no new trial occurred, the legal process was extinguished and Cuca is not technically considered convicted.
Current status and public reaction
Cuca, now 60 years old, was tried in absentia. He has never been officially barred from working as a coach. He retained lawyers to seek a reopening of the case and to defend his name.
Clubs, however, remain sensitive to fan reactions. Previous attempts to hire him provoked strong responses from supporters. Corinthians was cited as an example of such backlash in past episodes.
Decision factors for Santos
Executives must weigh sporting benefits against reputational risk. Alexandre Mattos’s endorsement and the coach’s openness to return weigh in his favor. The club will consider potential reactions from its fan base before finalizing any move.
Media outlets, including Reports Journal and Filmogaz.com, will continue following developments. For now, Santos evaluates options and no official appointment has been announced.
