Dorival Júnior signs contract with São Paulo until the end of the season
Acordo was closed this Friday morning at Florianópolis after negotiations that advanced with financial concessions from both parties. The coach and the Tricolor board agreed on a contract valid until the end of the current season, ending days of intense negotiations that began shortly after Roger Machado’s dismissal.
Dorival and São Paulo reached an understanding of around R$2 million per month, an intermediate amount between the coach’s initial request — close to the R$3 million he received at Corinthians — and the club’s initial offer of R$1.5 million. The board had consulted president Harry Massis before presenting the counter-proposal that sealed the agreement.
Rodada trades on Florianópolis
The main meeting took place between Thursday and Friday morning, with the São Paulo board pessimistic about the outcome. Rui Costa and Rafinha spent hours explaining the club’s political and financial context to the coach, issues that worried Dorival before his final decision.
The coach questioned details about the structure of São Paulo: the club’s political background, its influence on football decisions, financial scenario, objectives for this season, squad planning, planned reinforcements and scheduled sales. The financial part began to be discussed only after 11pm on Thursday, with no conclusion at that time.
On Friday morning, Dorival sent its revised offer. The board presented a counter-proposal with minimal changes to the coach’s request, who quickly accepted the new proposal.
Prioridade since predecessor’s departure
Dorival was the most desired name by the board since the fall of Roger Machado. The executive Rui Costa and the manager Rafinha did not return to São Paulo after the elimination in Copa of Brasil in front of Juventude, going straight to Florianópolis to start conversations with the coach.
The salary issue was seen as the main obstacle in the first discussions. The club had information that Dorival received figures considered incompatible with São Paulo’s financial reality. Mutual concessions made it possible to overcome this barrier and make contracting viable.
Histórico at the institution
Aos 64 years old, Dorival Júnior reaches his third stint with São Paulo. In his first experience, between 2017 and 2018, he led 40 games with 17 wins. His second stint was more memorable: in 54 games, he won 25 victories and the Copa Brasil title in 2023, before joining the Brazilian team.
Próximas actions of the new coach
Dorival will be at Janeiro’s Rio this Saturday to follow the duel between São Paulo and Fluminense for Brasileirão. Ele will not yet lead the team in this round — the responsibility will fall to members of the club’s fixed technical committee during his absence.
Immediate commitments include:
- Acompanhamento from the game against Fluminense on Saturday
- Avaliação from the cast in training next week
- Definição strategy for Brasileirão’s upcoming appointments
- Análise of possible adjustments to the technical structure
- Comunicação with players about season goals
Situação pre-announcement
São Paulo had fired Roger Machado after Brasil’s early elimination in Copa. The technical vacuum generated immediate pressure for a quick solution that would bring credibility to the project. The hiring of Dorival responds to this demand, bringing a name with proven experience at the institution and history of titles.
Executive Rui Costa remains in his position on the board, reinforcing his role in the negotiations that led to the agreement with the new coach.
