Botafogo Parts Ways with Coach Renato Paiva Ahead of Copa Libertadores Showdown with LDU

Botafogo, the upcoming rival for Liga de Quito in the Copa Libertadores Round of 16, has announced the departure of head coach Renato Paiva. This decision comes on the heels of their Club World Cup exit, a development that could directly influence their crucial tie against the Ecuadorian club.

The Portuguese coach, formerly with Independiente del Valle, was dismissed after Botafogo's recent elimination from the Club World Cup, where they fell 1-0 to Palmeiras on Saturday, June 28th. While Botafogo's tournament run did include a historic victory over Paris Saint-Germain, the overall performance was deemed insufficient for Paiva to retain his position.

"The club thanks Paiva and his assistants for their services to Glorioso in recent months, highlighting the qualification to the Round of 16 in Libertadores and Copa do Brasil," Botafogo stated on their official X (formerly Twitter) account. The club's management, led by John Textor, is now actively searching for a new technical director to navigate the challenges of the second half of the season.

This coaching change creates an immediate impact for LDU, as it occurs just over a month before the first leg of their Copa Libertadores clash, scheduled for Thursday, August 14th, in Rio de Janeiro. The return leg will follow a week later in the Ecuadorian capital. The uncertainty surrounding Botafogo's new leadership could play into LDU's favor as they aim to advance to the quarterfinals.

Renato Paiva took charge in February 2025, overseeing 23 matches with a record of 12 wins, 3 draws, and 8 losses. His tenure included highlights such as the memorable win against PSG, but also disappointments like the recent Club World Cup elimination and an inconsistent campaign in the Brasileirão, where Botafogo currently sits in eighth place with 18 points. Paiva is a familiar face in Ecuador, having won the LigaPro title with Independiente del Valle in 2021, where he was lauded for his offensive style and focus on youth development. His career has also seen him manage in Mexico (León and Toluca) and Brazil (Bahía).

Now, Botafogo faces a rapid reorganization period as they prepare not only for Liga de Quito in the Libertadores but also for Bragantino in the Copa do Brasil Round of 16 and Vasco da Gama in the Brasileirão.

Who Will Lead Botafogo Now? The Search for a New Coach Begins

With Renato Paiva's departure, Botafogo is now actively seeking a new head coach to take the reins. The focus will be on finding a tactician who can quickly adapt to the team and its upcoming challenges. While no specific names have been publicly announced by the club, the urgency of their situation, with key fixtures approaching in multiple competitions, means the new appointment will likely be made swiftly. The next manager will face the immediate task of stabilizing the team and preparing them for crucial battles on both domestic and international fronts.