Botafogo Football Club is actively seeking to fill its managerial vacancy following the expected departure of coach Artur Jorge, who has reportedly agreed to part ways with the club to pursue opportunities abroad.
After leading Botafogo to notable successes, including their historic Brasileiro and Libertadores victories, Jorge's tenure is set to conclude with his departure to Al-Rayyan, Qatar. This move will formally end his contract, which was set to run until December 2025. According to ESPN, Jorge is relinquishing bonuses linked to these achievements, valued at approximately 3 million euros (around R$ 19 million), to facilitate this transition.
The search for Jorge's successor is underway, with former São Paulo coach André Jardine currently positioned as the front-runner. Jardine, who has led América-MEX to three national titles, met with John Textor, the owner of Botafogo's SAF, for discussions this past week. The meeting was described as positive, indicating mutual interest. Given Jardine's recent success and rising profile—he is also being considered for the Mexican national team—Botafogo appears eager to capitalize on his extensive coaching pedigree.
Meanwhile, Botafogo's approach to its coaching search has involved exploring various candidates, including inquiries about Roger Machado, the current coach of Internacional. Roger is contracted to the Porto Alegre club until December 2025, and his management dismissed the legitimacy of these inquiries as mere market noise. According to Leo Ferreira, Roger's agent, he received contact from someone not formally linked to Botafogo, but officials from Internacional, including vice president of football José Olavo Bisol, have indicated they’re unfazed by the speculation.
Despite the initial overtures to Roger, it seems Botafogo is focusing on securing the services of André Jardine. With the aim of rebuilding its football department, the club is also preparing for the exit of several key players, including Almada, Luiz Henrique, Tchê Tchê, and Eduardo.
Looking forward, Botafogo is setting ambitious goals for 2025, aiming for titles such as the Supercopa do Brasil, Recopa Sul-Americana, and the Super Mundial de Clubes, alongside competing vigorously for the Carioca, the Copa do Brasil, the Libertadores, and the Brazilian Championship.
The changes at Botafogo echo the need for stability and strong leadership as the club maneuvers through its current transitional phase, marking what could be a pivotal year for one of Brazil’s storied football nations.