For some time, Brazilian coaches criticized the arrival of so many Portuguese coaches to manage teams in Brazil. In September 2022, Oswaldo de Oliveira was one of those who made difficult repairs. “Today we can’t leave here and we’re fighting for it. We can’t leave here to coach a second division team in Portugal, because they have to show their ‘stuff’ there (UEFA License). They arrive here, get their foot in the door and anyone runs the best club in Brazil, just say ‘well then’. We need foreigners in archery, fencing, handball… in football, no.”
Jorginho was another who in 2023 also spared no criticism. “I disagree with this invasion of foreign coaches, as if Brazilian coaches don’t have the capacity.” Even the current coach of the Brazilian national team, and in June last year in charge of São Paulo, made veiled criticisms of the arrival of foreign coaches, especially the Portuguese ones, who were seven at the time in the Brasileirão. “I’m not going to raise hypotheses (about evaluating the work of foreigners in football), but in Brazil it’s like that in any area of activity. (The writer) Paulo Coelho is another clear example, it’s understood differently in our country. From outside has impressive value, the native often does not. All foreigners who came are being well received, but unfortunately our history brings N situations”. Today it seems that Brazilian coaches have become accustomed to the presence of the Portuguese.
This Wednesday, the arrival of Artur Jorge was confirmed, who left Sp. Braga to join Botafogo. The coach should watch tonight at the Nilton Santos stadium the black and white team’s debut in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores against Junior Barranquilla. The journalist from the website UOL and Rádio Jovem Pan, Mauro Cezar Pereira, warns, through Record, about the arrival of the new Portuguese coach in Brazilian football. “A coach who will arrive in the middle of the season, without in-depth knowledge of the squad, with a reputation for playing offensively and not having as much defensive solidity in his teams. Very different from what Luís Castro’s successful Botafogo was. This is after hiring Bruno Lage, who had on his resume a title lost with Benfica after opening up a good lead. A story that was repeated at Botafogo. SAF managers seem to enjoy living dangerously.”
Journalist Mauro Betting, from the TNT Sports channel, praised the signing of Artur Jorge by Botafogo. “I really like Artur Jorge’s work, for what he did in the Sp. Braga team, and, without a doubt, there is no mistake, the arrival of another Portuguese coach for Botadogo. I was also in favor of Bruno Lage’s arrival at last year and everything went wrong. But more due to his demerit since Luis Castro left the club. I think it was a good decision for him (Artur Jorge) and Botafogo, even if it is now in a transition phase. Great name in the market, great bet for everyone. And since the arrival of Paulo Bento in 2016, we have already reached close to 20 Portuguese coaches in Brazil. It is a new wave that is here to stay. As I understand that Artur Jorge will arrive to stay at Botafogo”.
At the moment, four teams that will compete in Série A of the Brasileirão have Portuguese coaches. Palmeiras (Abel Ferreira), Corinthians (António Oliveira), Bragantino (Pedro Caixinha) and Botafogo (Artur Jorge). In Series B, Paulo Gomes will manage the Botafogo team in São Paulo. Last year, when the Brasileirão started, there were 7 Portuguese coaches who were in charge of the teams.
