Botafogo want 2024 to be completely different from the past season. In 2023, the Rio de Janeiro-based team led the Brasileirão standings for much of the campaign only to lose everything in less than two months and barely make it to the preliminary phase of the Libertadores.
Today, Fogão is a renewed team. With record signings, the board aims to steer the project and have a squad that challenges for every title. However, with the Brasileirão just around the corner, the club remains under the interim leadership of Fábio Matias.
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Without a permanent coach, it may be difficult for the Lone Star to build a solid and stable project that allows them to compete for the league title and even dream with continental glory, if they make the group stage. Therefore, the board is already considering several names.
FOGO NELES! 🔥💀🔥 #VamosBOTAFOGO
📸 Vítor Silva/BFR pic.twitter.com/Eh0ba4J8Ml
— Botafogo F.R. (@Botafogo) March 7, 2024
In recent hours, it has been rumored that Botafogo has a concrete interest in signing a foreign coach with experience in the European elite, and one of the names that has made the most noise is José Mourinho, the legendary coach who is currently a free agent after finishing his spell at AS Roma.
Mou, a far-fetched option for Fogão
However, according to ESPN Brasil, Mourinho may be an unrealistic target due to financial reasons. The board reportedly does not consider Mourinho a feasible option, as it would be a “financial madness.” A coach with so much experience, fame, and character wouldn’t come cheap, especially if they have to convince him to accept the challenge on a continent where he has never coached before and with a project that, at least for now, has shown a lot of inconsistency.
Another name reportedly on Botafogo’s radar was Carlos Carvalhal, a Portuguese manager with experience at clubs like Celta de Vigo, Sporting Lisbon, Swansea, and Olympiacos, with the latter being his most recent club.
In the meantime, Fábio Matías has four wins in four games as Botafogo’s interim coach. Only time will tell what route the club ultimately takes.
