/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.umdoisesportes.com.br%2Fmain%2F2025%2F10%2F02001716%2FLucas-Coritiba.jpg "Coritiba seeks new CEO and involves former director in the choice")
With the Lucas de Paula’s departure from the role of CEOo Coritiba begins the search for a new name to lead the administrative department in a decisive season, marked by the return to Série A after two seasons in Série B.
The future CEO will have the support of Treecorp, a company that has controlled SAF do Coritiba since June 2023. OutField, which became an investor in a Treecorp fund and was responsible for nominating Lucas de Paulayou should also participate in the discussions.
Furthermore, the Independent Groupwhich acquired a minority stake in SAF in December 2025, will also have influence on the decision, as it has a seat on the SAF board and experience in football. The group is also a partner of other clubs, such as Independiente del Valle, from Ecuador, Atlético Huila, from the Colombian Second Division, and Numancia, from the Spanish Third Division.
Role of the CEO at the club
On a day-to-day basis, the CEO is responsible for leading the club’s administrative management, focusing on internal organization, financial planning and defining strategic guidelines.
This was, in fact, one of the main points of Lucas de Paula’s management, marked by a more conservative policy in the market, prioritizing financial fair play and avoiding hiring with greater impact that would compromise finances.
The choice of this new name comes in a season of pressure for results on the field. Currently, Coxa occupies seventh place, with 16 points. This is one of the club’s best championship starts in the points-run era.
Fourth CEO in the SAF era
The next name will be the fourth CEO since the implementation of SAF in Coritiba, in June 2023. Before Lucas de Paula, the club had Carlos Amodeothe first to assume the position until March 2024, and Gabriel Limawho remained for around seven months and left the position after receiving a proposal to take on an executive role in the Liga Forte União, today called Futebol Forte União (FFU).
Despite the change in executive command, the club’s internal structure remains unchanged. William Thomas remains as head of football, while André Campestrini continues as financial director and Lucca Bradfield as business director.
In his farewell letter, Lucas de Paula highlighted positive achievements at the head of the club, such as the investments made in Couto Pereira and CT da Graciosa, in addition to stating that he lived intensely at Coritiba, responding to a request from the fans.
Despite the advances, the former CEO always faced opposition groups and was the target of protests in Couto Pereira, mainly due to the lack of investment. Although it signed 15 players for 2026, Coxa was among the five clubs in the Brasileirão that invested the least.