20 best coaches in Santos history

The  Santos Futebol Clube is one of the most renowned and traditional soccer teams in Brazil, with a rich history full of achievements. Since it was founded in 1912, the alvinegro club has boasted a number of renowned and talented players.

But it’s not just the players who stand out in the team, so we’ve created a list of the 20 best coaches in Santos’ history for you to get to know. Here, you’ll find out more about their titles, life story, curiosities and more.

At Santos, several coaches have left their mark, contributing significantly to the numerous titles and glories that the club boasts. The importance of these professionals goes beyond tactics and strategies; they have also shaped generations of players and influenced the style of play that has enchanted the world.

So let’s find out who the 20 best coaches in Santos history are!

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The 20 best coaches in Santos history: complete list

1. Lula
2. Pepe
3. Antoninho
4. Muricy Ramalho
5. Emerson Leão
6. Vanderlei Luxemburgo
7. Dorival Júnior
8. Manoel Maria
9. Abel Braga
10. Geninho
11. Paulo Autuori
12. Claudinei Oliveira
13. Oswaldo de Oliveira
14. Poy
15. Mauro Galvão
16. Nelsinho Baptista
17. Levir Culpi
18. Carlos Alberto Silva
19. Emerson Leão
20. Vanderlei Luxemburgo

The 20 best coaches in Santos’ history: learn more about the professionals

1. Lula

• Titles:
  • Copa Libertadores de América: 1962, 1963
  • Intercontinental Cup: 1962, 1963
  • Brazilian Championship: 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965
  • Paulista Championship: 1955, 1956, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965
• Team:
  • Santos FC (1954-1966)
• Fun facts:
  • Known for putting together the most successful team in Santos’ history, with Pelé, Coutinho, Zito and others.
  • Considered one of the greatest coaches in Brazilian soccer.
• Life story:
  • Luiz Alonso Perez, known as Lula, was born in Santos and began his career as a player before becoming a coach. Under his command, Santos became a world power, winning titles in every competition they played in.

2. Pepe

• Titles:
  • Brazilian Championship: 2002, 2004
  • Paulista Championship: 1973
• Team:
  • Santos FC (1969, 1972-1974, 1979-1980, 1993, 1994)
• Fun facts:
  • An idol as a player, Pepe was also successful as a coach.
  • Known for his ability to launch young talents.
• Life story:
  • José Macia, or Pepe, was one of the greatest winger in the history of Santos and Brazilian soccer. After retiring as a player, he dedicated himself to his coaching career, where he was also successful, especially by winning two Brazilian Championships.

3. Antoninho

• Titles:
  • Paulista Championship: 1955, 1956, 1958
• Team:
  • Santos FC (1951-1952, 1954-1955, 1958-1959, 1963)
• Fun facts:
  • One of the first coaches to succeed at the helm of Santos.
  • He made the transition from the club to the Pelé era.
• Life story:
  • Antônio Fernandes, or Antoninho, was a talented midfielder turned coach. He helped form the basis of the team that would dominate Brazilian soccer in the 1960s.

4. Muricy Ramalho

• Titles:
  • Copa Libertadores: 2011
  • South American Cup: 2012
• Team:
  • Santos FC (2011-2013)
• Fun facts:
  • Led Santos to their third Libertadores title.
  • Known for his discipline and work methodology.
• Life story:
  • Muricy Ramalho is one of Brazil’s most respected coaches. With a long career as a coach, he has had successful spells at various clubs, most notably at Santos when they won the Libertadores in 2011.

5. Emerson Leão

• Titles:
  • Brazilian Championship: 2002
  • Paulista Championship: 2006
• Team:
  • Santos FC (1998, 2002-2004, 2008)
• Fun facts:
  • Led Santos to the Brazilian title in 2002, breaking an 18-year losing streak.
  • Famous for his strong and disciplinarian personality.
• Life story:
  • Emerson Leão, a former outstanding goalkeeper, successfully made the transition to a coaching career. At Santos, he was responsible for developing talents such as Robinho and Diego, who were instrumental in winning the Brasileiro in 2002.

6. Vanderlei Luxemburgo

• Titles:
  • Campeonato Paulista: 2006, 2007
• Team:
  • Santos FC (1997, 2004-2007)
• Fun facts:
  • Won important state titles during his time at Santos.
  • Recognized for his tactical knowledge and ability to form competitive teams.
• Life story:
  • Vanderlei Luxemburgo is one of the most successful coaches in Brazilian soccer, with spells at major clubs and with the Brazilian national team. At Santos, he left his mark with São Paulo titles and good campaigns.

7. Dorival Júnior

• Titles:
  • Copa do Brasil: 2010
  • Paulista Championship: 2010, 2016
• Team:
  • Santos FC (2010, 2015-2017)
• Fun facts:
  • Responsible for launching Neymar into the professional team.
  • He led Santos to important titles and good soccer.
• Life story:
  • Dorival Júnior is known for his work with young players and his ability to put together attacking teams. His spells at Santos have been marked by titles and the revelation of talent.

8. Manoel Maria

• Titles:
  • Campeonato Paulista: 1984
• Team:
  • Santos FC (1984)
• Fun facts:
  • He had a brief but remarkable spell as a coach.
  • Former Santos player, known for his talent and dedication.
• Life story:
  • Manoel Maria was a talented right winger who, after ending his career as a player, had a brief spell as a coach. He won the Campeonato Paulista in 1984 and left his mark on the club.

9. Abel Braga

• Titles:
  • Campeonato Paulista: 1996
• Team:
  • Santos FC (1996-1997)
• Fun facts:
  • Known for his leadership and ability to motivate players.
  • He had a successful and short spell at Santos.
• Life story:
  • Abel Braga is an experienced coach, with spells at various clubs and with the Brazilian national team. At Santos, he won the 1996 Campeonato Paulista, establishing himself as one of the club’s best coaches.

10. Geninho

• Titles:
  • Brazilian Championship: 2004
• Team:
  • Santos FC (2003-2004)
• Fun facts:
  • Had a remarkable spell, winning the Brazilian title.
  • Recognized for his ability to assemble competitive teams.
• Life story:
  • Eugênio Machado Souto, or Geninho, is an experienced coach who has had success at various clubs. At Santos, he was instrumental in winning the 2004 Brazilian Championship, breaking a long run of national titles.

11. Paulo Autuori

• Titles:
  • Recopa Sudamericana: 1998
• Team:
  • Santos FC (1997-1998, 2003-2004)
• Fun facts:
  • Won the Recopa Sudamericana in 1998.
  • Known for his tactical and strategic work.
• Life story:
  • Paulo Autuori is a respected coach, with spells at various clubs and national teams. He had two spells at Santos, where he stood out for winning the Recopa Sudamericana and for his tactical work.

12. Claudinei Oliveira

• Titles:
  • Paulista U-20 Championship: 2012
• Team:
  • Santos FC (2013)
• Fun facts:
  • Led Santos’ under-20 team to important titles.
  • He took over the first team in 2013, with good results.
• Life story:
  • Claudinei Oliveira began his career in the Santos youth team, where he won titles and revealed talent. In 2013, he took over the first team, demonstrating his potential as a coach.

13. Oswaldo de Oliveira

• Titles:
  • Campeonato Paulista: 2014
• Team:
  • Santos FC (2014)
• Fun facts:
  • Won the Campeonato Paulista in 2014.
  • Known for his strategic and tactical work.
• Life story:
  • Oswaldo de Oliveira is an experienced coach, with spells at various clubs and in Japanese soccer. At Santos, he won the 2014 Campeonato Paulista, demonstrating his tactical knowledge and leadership skills.

14. Poy

• Titles:
  • Campeonato Paulista: 1978
• Team:
  • Santos FC (1977-1978)
• Fun facts:
  • A former Santos goalkeeper, he became a coach after his career ended.
  • He won the Paulista Championship in 1978.
• Life story:
  • Waldemar de Brito Poy, known as Poy, was a talented goalkeeper who became a coach after ending his playing career. At Santos, he won the 1978 Campeonato Paulista, leaving his mark on the club.

15. Mauro Galvão

• Titles:
  • Paulista U-20 Championship: 2013
• Team:
  • Santos FC (2014)
• Fun facts:
  • Led Santos’ under-20 team to important titles.
  • He had a brief spell as first-team coach.
• Life story:
  • Mauro Galvão is a talented former player who became a coach after ending his career. At Santos, he won titles at youth level and had a brief spell in the first team.

16. Nelsinho Baptista

• Titles:
  • Campeonato Paulista: 1992
• Team:
  • Santos FC (1992)
• Fun facts:
  • Won the 1992 Campeonato Paulista.
  • Known for his tactical and strategic work.
• Life story:
  • Nelsinho Baptista is an experienced coach with spells at various clubs. At Santos, he won the 1992 Campeonato Paulista, demonstrating his tactical knowledge and leadership skills.

17. Levir Culpi

• Titles:
  • Campeonato Paulista: 1993
• Team:
  • Santos FC (1993)
• Fun facts:
  • Won the 1993 Campeonato Paulista.
  • Known for his tactical and strategic work.
• Life story:
  • Levir Culpi is an experienced coach with spells at various clubs. At Santos, he won the 1993 Campeonato Paulista, demonstrating his tactical knowledge and leadership skills.

18. Carlos Alberto Silva

• Titles:
  • Campeonato Paulista: 1984
• Team:
  • Santos FC (1984-1985)
• Fun facts:
  • Won the 1984 Campeonato Paulista.
  • Known for his tactical and strategic work.
• Life story:
  • Carlos Alberto Silva is an experienced coach, with spells at various clubs and with the Brazilian national team. At Santos, he won the 1984 Campeonato Paulista, demonstrating his tactical knowledge and leadership skills.

19. Émerson Leão

• Titles:
  • Brazilian Championship: 2002
• Team:
  • Santos FC (1998, 2002-2004, 2008)
• Fun facts:
  • Led Santos to the Brazilian title in 2002, breaking an 18-year losing streak.
  • Famous for his strong and disciplinarian personality.
• Life story:
  • Emerson Leão, a former outstanding goalkeeper, successfully made the transition to a coaching career. At Santos, he was responsible for developing talents such as Robinho and Diego, who were instrumental in winning the Brasileiro in 2002.

20. Vanderlei Luxemburgo

• Titles:
  • Campeonato Paulista: 2006, 2007
• Team:
  • Santos FC (1997, 2004-2007)
• Fun facts:
  • Won important state titles during his time at Santos.
  • Recognized for his tactical knowledge and ability to form competitive teams.
• Life story:
  • Vanderlei Luxemburgo is one of the most successful coaches in Brazilian soccer, with spells at major clubs and with the Brazilian national team. At Santos, he left his mark with São Paulo titles and good campaigns.

The 20 best coaches in Santos history: complete list

1. Lula
2. Pepe
3. Antoninho
4. Muricy Ramalho
5. Emerson Leão
6. Vanderlei Luxemburgo
7. Dorival Júnior
8. Manoel Maria
9. Abel Braga
10. Geninho
11. Paulo Autuori
12. Claudinei Oliveira
13. Oswaldo de Oliveira
14. Poy
15. Mauro Galvão
16. Nelsinho Baptista
17. Levir Culpi
18. Carlos Alberto Silva
19. Emerson Leão
20. Vanderlei Luxemburgo

That’s the list of the 20 best coaches in the history of Santos! Now that you’ve made it this far, take the opportunity to find out more about the world of soccer and many other sports.

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