São Paulo Futebol Clube has announced the hiring of Roger Machado as the new head coach, succeeding Hernán Crespo, who was dismissed from his position just a day prior. Machado, 51, had been without a club since September of the previous year after being released by Internacional. His contract with São Paulo is set to last until December 31, 2026, and he will be joined by assistant coaches Roberto Ribas, James Freitas, and Adaílton Bolzan, along with physical trainer Paulo Paixão and performance analyst Guilherme Nunes.

Machado's first training session with the team will take place on Tuesday afternoon at the Barra Funda training center. He will lead São Paulo in their next match against Chapecoense, scheduled for Thursday, which is part of the fifth round of the Campeonato Brasileiro. Currently, São Paulo sits as the vice-leader of the national league, tied with Palmeiras on points but behind them in goal difference.

The decision to appoint Machado reflects the club's strategic vision and confidence in his capabilities as a coach. The transition comes at a critical time as São Paulo aims to maintain its competitive edge in the league. With his experience and previous successes, there are high expectations for Machado to galvanize the team and improve their performance as the season progresses.