10 Aug 2026
Crisis at Santos: why Cuca is calling for the transfer ban to end, reinforcements and mentions Neymar’s absence
Cuca said Santos must end the transfer ban and strengthen the squad to respond to the crisis. The coach also mentioned Neymar’s absence and said that changing the manager alone would not solve the problem.
What Cuca said about Santos’ crisis
Cuca described Santos’ crisis as a problem that goes beyond the manager’s work. His position is clear: changing the manager would not, by itself, resolve the club’s difficulties. He called for action to address weaknesses in the squad and give the team more options for the rest of the season. His comments focus on the resources available to the team, rather than solely on tactical adjustments or changes to the starting line-up. For Cuca, a recovery requires action from the club off the pitch, especially the ability to sign players.
Why the transfer ban has become central
Cuca’s main demand was for the transfer ban to be lifted. The punishment prevents Santos from registering new signings, precisely when the coach believes the squad needs fresh options. Without that restriction being removed, the club is limited to the players already available and has less room to address squad problems. The manager’s demand was not an abstract discussion about planning. It is linked to the immediate need to broaden the team’s options. As long as the transfer ban remains in place, any attempt to strengthen the squad is blocked, leaving Cuca to work within tighter constraints.
The call for reinforcements and the squad’s weaknesses
Cuca called for reinforcements because he believes Santos need more resources to get through this difficult spell. The coach did not present new signings as an automatic solution, but as a condition that would allow the club to respond with more options. In his view, the crisis requires practical action. Ending the ban and bringing in players are necessary steps to change the situation. This assessment also explains why he rejected the idea that simply changing the manager would be enough. Without a stronger squad and the ability to register players, the next manager would face similar limitations.
What impact does Neymar’s absence have?
Neymar also featured in Cuca’s comments. The coach mentioned the player’s absence when explaining Santos’ difficult circumstances. Without Neymar available, the team lose a key reference point who could raise the quality of the options on the pitch and help the side during a period of pressure. The reference does not place all responsibility on the forward, nor does it remove the club’s other problems. It shows that Cuca considers the absence of a major figure significant in a squad which, in his view, still needs reinforcements. His absence further reduces the team’s room for manoeuvre.
What Santos need to resolve to escape the crisis
Cuca’s message brings together three points: ending the transfer ban, signing players and dealing with Neymar’s absence. For the coach, these issues have a more direct impact on Santos’ ability to respond than an immediate change in the dugout. The club must first regain the ability to register players and then pursue the additions requested by the coaching staff. Until then, the team’s work will remain dependent on the current options. Cuca’s public criticism increases the pressure for an administrative and sporting solution. The debate at Santos, therefore, is not limited to the manager: it also concerns squad building and the conditions needed to strengthen it.
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