The Jorge Sampaoli effect in Brazilian football

Welcome back to the Brazil Sports newsletter. This week, we talk about how Argentinian coach Jorge Sampaoli overcame initial skepticism to take Santos to the top of the table and become the hottest coach in Brazil. Former leaders Palmeiras, meanwhile, are in a slump following the Copa America break. Also, how the Pan American Games in Lima are playing out, and how one of Brazil’s most traditional clubs is counting on two billionaire fans to rescue them.

The Jorge Sampaoli effect in Brazilian football

As head of the Argentinian national team, Jorge Sampaoli spearheaded a disastrous performance in the 2018 World Cup, which included player mutiny, uninspired performance, and a dramatic early elimination to future champions France in the Round of 16. In December, Sampaoli was announced as the new manager of Santos, to the surprise of many in Brazil. The coach seemed to have lost his mojo since leading Chile to its first Copa America title in 2015. 

In Santos, he had a rocky start, publicly calling out the team’s board for the lack of quality players. In the state championships, which kick off the Brazilian football season at the start of the year, Santos was an extremely inconsistent, alternating big wins and humiliating losses. Now, though, Mr. Sampaoli has found his ideal line-up and become the hottest coach in Brazil, leading the league after six straight wins.

This team bears its coach’s imprint. Even when Santos don’t play well, the team attacks without fear—sometimes to its own detriment, like in the May 18 league game against Palmeiras where they lost 4-1. After conceding the first goal, the team kept attacking, leaving space for deadly counter-attacks. Since then, though, Mr. Sampaoli managed to fix many of the team’s weaknesses, as shown by their position in the table.

Of 36 points contested after 12 games, Santos has won 29 (nine wins, two draws, and one defeat). It is the best start for the team since Brazil adopted the round-robin league system in 2003. 

Mr. Sampaoli has drawn criticism from some Brazilian coaches who are skeptical of foreign coaches. But the resistance to him is not only based on xenophobia: the attack-minded Argentinian coach is a welcome addition to a league where teams’ number one priority is not losing. If...