April 30 – Cleber Xavier has been named the new manager of Santos, the Brazilian club confirmed on Tuesday, marking his first role as head coach. He will be reunited with Neymar.
Aged 61, Xavier succeeds Pedro Caixinha after Cesar Sampaio served three matches as interim coach. Xavier worked for 24 years as Tite’s assistant. His extensive coaching background includes time with the Brazilian national team, as well as spells at Corinthians and other top clubs.
Assistants Matheus Bachi, Tite’s son, and Vinicius Marques, along with fitness coach Fábio Mahseredjian will serve as his backroom staff. Sampaio will also remain on the Santos staff.
Xavier will be reunited with Neymar at the club. The Brazil star returned to his boyhood club from Al Hilal where he spent the last two years, mostly sidelined with injury. In an interview with Globo, Xavier sent a message to Neymar: “Neymar is a star. No player like him has come along in the last 15 years. But he didn’t take care the way he should have. It’s his choice. He didn’t want to be Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Same thing with Ronaldinho Gaúcho. He didn’t want to.”
On Tuesday, Xavier met Neymar and led his first practice session. He will debut against CRB in the third round of the Copa do Brasil on Thursday.
Earlier this week,Santos supporters had stormed the club’s training centre demanding more from the players. After six rounds of matches in the Brazilian league, Santos are second from bottom with just four points.
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