Renato Paiva has officially been appointed as the head coach of Botafogo, stepping up to the role after the team experienced more than 55 days without permanent leadership. This decision follows the departure of former coach Artur Jorge on January 3, 2025, who moved to Al-Rayyan, Qatar. Paiva's arrival is seen as a fresh start for the club, which has been struggling following its elimination from the Carioca Championship and disappointing finishes, including runner-up positions at the Supercopa and Recopa Sul-Americanas.
The 54-year-old Portuguese coach, who was most recently with Toluca, México, is expected to steer the team back on track after assuming command. Previously, Paiva succeeded with Bahia, where he guided the team to victory at the Campeonato Baiano in 2023, but left amid tensions with fans and underwhelming results by September of the same year. His coaching history includes notable experience developing youth talent at Benfica, where he worked for 16 years, contributing to players such as Rúben Dias and João Félix before moving to South America.
Paiva, who accompanied John Textor, the club's owner, at the Nilton Santos Stadium for the Recopa match against Racing, expressed excitement about the opportunity. The Portuguese has made clear his intention to leverage his expertise to instill a strong tactical identity at Botafogo, focusing on positional play, passing, and creating passing triangles, as well as exploiting opponents' weaknesses effectively.
Despite his past ups and downs, the expectations surrounding the appointment appear high, particularly as the team aims to reclaim its status as champions of the Brasileirão and Libertadores. Paiva's appointment signifies Botafogo's strategic pivot, seeking not only to recover from recent disappointments but also to build for the future.
John Textor stated, “Paiva has experience managing young talent, which will be valuable at Botafogo.” With plans for fostering young prospects alongside immediate competitive aspirations, Paiva's dual role emphasizes both urgency and long-term vision.
Botafogo has high hopes as the new season approaches. Their first match back on the field will be against Palmeiras on March 29, and it remains to be seen how quickly Paiva can implement his philosophy and transform the squad’s performance. The team’s past season went through fluctuated fortunes—with players adjusting, injuries affecting the line-up, and mounting pressure leading to undesirable results.
Support from the fans will be pivotal for Paiva as he navigates through the murky waters of Brazilian football, typically fraught with intense scrutiny. Botafogo fans have shown resilience, and this latest strategic move by the administration aims to restore the faith needed to engage and energize its loyal supporters.
Renato Paiva now stands at the helm of one of Brazil’s iconic football clubs, symbolizing leadership, hope, and renewed ambition. It is certainly exciting times for Botafogo as they gear up for the challenges and opportunities the new season will present.