Football Season Guide

Santos had a very good performance last season. Under the eccentric Sampaoli, Santos was one of the most interesting sides to follow, but in the end they were not a match for the much stronger Flamengo. Ending with the same points as their rivals and former champions Palmeiras was unexpected as it was. After the departure of Sampaoli, the club did very well in bringing Jesualdo Ferreira on board. The Portuguese was expected to keep the tactical upper level while giving the team some stability that was simply impossible under Sampaoli. However, the sudden deep financial problems took away the ambitious project for 2020, and even threatened the team to keep their players for the season, as some were complaining about unpayed wages. While the problems in court with some players are still occurring, the worst scenario seems to be out of the table, but the crisis was enough to affect the performance, and some dreadful results in Campeonato Paulista have even put Jesualdo on the verge of sacking. Santos couldn't bring almost any new player in. Raniel, released from rivals São Paulo, was the only new name, aside from other players returning from loan (Vladimir and Arthur Gomes may have their definite season at Vila Belmiro). Club lost a couple of important players like defenders Gustavo Henrique, Ferraz, Jorge and Aguilar, midfielders Jean Lucas and Evandro and forward Derlis G. A few other may leave as well due to aforementioned wage problems.