The technician Cucawho had a controversial stint in Athletico in 2024, it is close to returning to the Atlético-MG. The advanced negotiation was reported by several vehicles in Minas Gerais and confirmed by OneTwo Sports.
After denials from Luis Castro and Tite, Cuca is the Galo board’s favorite to replace Gabriel Milito. The Argentine did not remain after leading the team to runners-up in the Copa do Brasil and Libertadores.
No Brasileirãothe team saved itself from falling in the last round precisely by beating Furacão, who ended up relegated to Série B.
If the return is confirmed, it will be the third spell for Atlético-MG from Paraná. In the first, it won the unprecedented Libertadores, while in the second it won the Copa do Brasil and the Brasileirão.
Cuca’s passage to Athletico on its centenary
For Furacão, his favorite team, Cuca won a title and accumulated controversies in 23 games (14 wins, three draws and six defeats). His arrival took place at the beginning of March, replacing the Colombian Juan Carlos Osorio. He debuted with a resounding 6-0 over Londrina, in the second match of the quarter-finals of the Paraná Championship.
Afterwards, he led the team to four more victories until becoming state champion – in total, there were eight consecutive victories right from the start of the coach, which put Athletico in the lead in Série A.
The exit, on the other hand, came after the draw with Corinthians, at the Ligga Arena, in the 11th round of the Brasileirão – the third followed in stoppage time, after similar scenarios against Botafogo e Flemish.
The coach made the position available and resigned, later regretting it, but the athletic board made no effort to convince the commander to lead the team. Cuca frequently asked for reinforcements (including publicly) and expressed dissatisfaction with the level of the Atletico squad, without being responded to.
Later, in August, he criticized president Mario Celso Petraglia and financial director Marcio Lara in messages sent in a group of athletic fans on WhatsApp.
Cuca had a troubled arrival even after his conviction was annulled
Even with the annulment of the rape conviction in Switzerland, Cuca’s arrival at Furacão had national repercussions and caused controversy in the debates.
Many women reported being threatened on social media for disagreeing with the coach’s hiring. Despite this, Cuca was applauded by the majority of fans in the 6-0 defeat of Londrina.
In the first interview, on the official Furacão website, Cuca said he was relieved, after the Swiss court’s decision. Days later, the tone changed.
In addition to saying he was distressed, he committed to transforming the future with actions. During that time, she participated in a lecture on violence against women for young people from the youth teams and the female cast of Furacão.