Botafogo waiting for Artur Jorge: Rio Cup in his pocket and an emotional return (video)

Interim Fábio Matias sent clarifications to President John Textor

Artur Jorge is leaving SC Braga for Botafogo, due to travel this Tuesday – will still coach SC Braga this Monday against Portimonense, and will meet a team that has just become champion of the Rio Cup, thus guaranteeing a place in the Brazilian Cup in 2025.

O Botafogo, coached by assistant Fábio Matias, beat Boavista in the second leg of the final – until recently coached by Filipe Cândido, who left to return to U. Leiria – 2-0 (they had won 4-0 in the first), and Sunday’s match also marked the return of Patrick de Paula, who hadn’t played for over a year.

The midfielder had suffered a serious knee injury in February 2023 and returned to play more than 400 days later, coming on for the last 20 minutes of the game.

The Portuguese coach is expected to arrive on Wednesday, in time to see Botafogo debut in the Libertadores against Junior Barranquilla, at Nilton Santos, in the group stage debut.

Fábio Matias sent clarifications to president John Textor: «All situations related to who will come, the best person to respond is John, everything is focused on him. I’m a Botafogo employee, not a coach. I did my best for Botafogo, we do everything for the club. I’m a club employee, I’m a permanent staff member. In crisis situations, we have to sustain and on Wednesday we have to ‘deliver’ well. Afterwards, ask John. If I praise more, they’ll think it’s convenient (laughs). It’s up to him to say how things will work from now on.»