Club World Cup: John Textor's Botafogo sacks coach after elimination

Reigning Brazilian and Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo announced on Sunday the dismissal of their Portuguese coach Renato Paiva after their elimination in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup against Palmeiras.

"Botafogo announces that Renato Paiva is no longer the coach of the main team," the Rio de Janeiro club, owned by American tycoon John Textor , wrote on its X account, adding that this decision had been announced to Paiva on Sunday evening.

"The club thanks Paiva and his assistants for their services (...) in recent months, particularly the historic victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup, and the qualification for the last 16 of the Libertadores and the Brazilian Cup," he added.

Renato Paiva, a former player of Mexico's Toluca, took over in February as the team was adrift after the departure of his compatriot Artur Jorge, who had been the architect of the Copa Libertadores and Brasileirão triumphs in 2024. In the group stage of the Club World Cup, Botafogo caused a surprise by eliminating Atlético de Madrid and qualifying for the round of 16 with Paris Saint-Germain, whom they beat 1-0 in one of the shock matches of the tournament.

Botafogo bowed out of the competition in the round of 16 against Palmeiras, who won the Brazilian duel 1-0 in extra time.

The club is currently 8th in the Brazilian league, six points behind leaders Flamengo, with 27 matches remaining. They will also face Liga de Quito in the round of 16 of the 2025 Copa Libertadores in August.