Jorge Castilho is currently enjoying a fruitful tenure as the head coach of Maringá, a role that has sparked speculation about his potential move to Athletico-PR following the recent dismissal of Maurício Barbieri. As of May 9, 2025, there have been no formal negotiations between Castilho and Athletico, but the buzz surrounding his name is a testament to the impressive work he has done at Maringá.
In a recent press conference, Castilho expressed a positive outlook on the speculation, stating, "It’s important when you are mentioned in big clubs in the capital. Mentioned because the results are good." He emphasized that while he appreciates the recognition, his primary focus remains on his current responsibilities with Maringá.
Castilho, who has been at the helm of Maringá since April 2021, is the second longest-serving coach in Brazil, trailing only Abel Ferreira of Palmeiras by a narrow margin of five months. His journey to this position has been marked by resilience; in 2021, while awaiting a definitive role with Maringá, he worked as an app driver to make ends meet.
Under his management, Maringá has achieved notable success, including three runner-up finishes in the Campeonato Paranaense over the past four years (2022, 2024, and 2025). The team has also secured promotion to Série C of the Brasileiro and reached the third round of the Copa do Brasil twice in three years. Castilho has overseen over 100 matches with the club, solidifying his status as a key figure in their recent successes.
His tactical approach has garnered praise, especially during a recent 2-2 draw with Atlético-MG in the Copa do Brasil, where his strategies were commended by opposing coach Cuca. Castilho's emphasis on individual marking and positional variations has been pivotal in shaping Maringá’s competitive edge.
Looking ahead, Maringá is set to face CSA on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 19:00 in Maceió for the fifth round of Série C do Brasileiro. Currently, Maringá sits in third place with 10 points, closely trailing the leaders.
Meanwhile, Athletico-PR is in a state of flux as they search for a new head coach. Following Barbieri's dismissal, several candidates have been linked to the position, including Pepa, former coach of Cruzeiro and Sport, and António Oliveira, who has since been announced by Sport. Reports indicate that other names under consideration include Lisca, Jorge Castilho, Celso Roth, Allan Aal, Jorginho, Filipe Gouveia, Fábio Matias, and Cláudio Caçapa. However, many of these candidates, including Castilho, are currently employed elsewhere.
Interim coach João Correia, who took over following Barbieri's exit, has faced scrutiny after a lackluster 1-1 draw against Chapecoense on May 8, 2025. During the post-match press conference, Correia remarked, "I’m not a magician, I’m a coach. Magic is Harry Potter," a comment that did not sit well with fans frustrated by the team's performance. This draw marked Athletico's fourth consecutive game without a victory, leaving them in ninth place in the Série B standings with just nine points.
Correia’s tenure as interim coach has seen him managing the under-20 team, where he has enjoyed success, leading them to second place in the Brasileirão with 19 points from nine matches. Despite this, the pressure is mounting as Athletico prepares to face Vila Nova-GO away on May 17, 2025, at 18:30 in Brasília, followed by a home match against Brusque on May 20.
As the coaching situation unfolds at Athletico, the focus remains on the immediate challenges ahead. With Castilho’s future at Maringá looking bright and Athletico seeking stability, the coming weeks will be crucial for both clubs as they navigate their respective paths in Brazilian football.
