Quique Setién Nearing Botafogo Move: Talks Advance with American Tycoon’s Club

Former Barcelona coach Quique Setién is on the brink of joining Botafogo, with advanced discussions underway to take charge of the Brazilian club owned by magnate John Textor.

Setién has been without a coaching role since his dismissal from Villarreal in September at the start of the current season.

Quique Setién emerges as the top candidate to lead Botafogo, as American mogul John Textor, the club’s major shareholder, seeks to replace the ousted Tiago Nunes.

Discussions are at an advanced stage, with an official agreement expected in the coming days. Setién would face the challenge of keeping Botafogo among the top teams in Brazil and South America.

In 2023, Botafogo squandered a 15-point lead and relinquished the Brasileirao title to Palmeiras. However, in the first quarter of 2024, the team achieved its first major objective by advancing from the Copa Libertadores qualifying stage to the group phase, defeating Red Bull Bragantino in a challenging playoff.

April marks the beginning of two major competitions for Botafogo: Brasileirao, where they aim to compete with Flamengo and Palmeiras, and Libertadores, where they are grouped with LDU Quito, Junior Barranquilla, and Universitario de Lima.

John Textor favors Setién for his attacking style of play, reminiscent of his tenure at Barcelona in January 2020. The American magnate seeks a coach similar to Portuguese manager Luis Castro, who previously led Botafogo.

Setién has been available in the coaching market since the start of the season following his departure from Villarreal during the September international break, becoming the first La Liga coach to lose his job this campaign.

The Cantabrian coach has explored various options in recent months, including interest from Saudi Arabia and close proximity to Besiktas in December.

Botafogo is one of four clubs under John Textor’s ownership, alongside Olympique Lyon, Crystal Palace, and RWD Molenbeek, the latter currently sitting at the bottom of the Belgian First Division.