All things are looking set for Hernán Crespo to become the next São Paulo manager. The Fernando Diniz era came to an end last Monday and the search for an able replacement continues.
Hernán Crespo announced his exit from Defensa y Justicia on Sunday and it appears his next job is already sorted. The Argentine manager was already named on the shortlist to be considered by São Paulo for their next manager.
To go with the above, some reports from Argentina claim Defensa president José Lemme has already confirmed São Paulo as Crespo’s next destination.
“I cannot pay what São Paulo pays,” the director was quoted to have said to reporter Juan Pablo Mendez.
Should Crespo go on to be announced São Paulo manager, he will arrive at the club with some reputation on his shoulders having led Defensa to a Copa Sudamericana triumph.
Crespo is best known for his time at Parma during his playing days. In a career spanning over 19 years, he had more than 300 goals to his name. He also starred for the Argentine national team and remains the country’s fourth highest goal-scorer behind only Agüero, Batistuta and Messi.
His coaching career started in the Italian second division in 2015 where he took charge of Modena.
Crespo then moved to his native country in 2018 to manage Banfield before he then took a role as Defensa y Justicia boss from January 2020 until his exit last Sunday.
Crespo led Defensa to a Copa Sudamericana triumph this season and they even beat Brazilian sides Vasco and Bahia on their way to the title.
It’s being reported that the 45-year-old has already been interviewed by the São Paulo hierarchy, as they are leaning more towards a foreign name for Fernando Diniz’s replacement.
Other names on the São Paulo shortlist include another Argentine in Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Portuguese manager Pedro Martins. Crespo also received an offer from the Chilean national side but he is likely to join São Paulo instead.
