THE Coach Alexandre Santos justified today that the decision to leave Nacional for Petro de Luanda was “taken entirely with the heart”, after defeats in the four games played by the I League club.
In a statement released by his press office, Santos, aged 49, explains that he created a strong emotional connection with the Angolan club, which he had already represented between 2021 and 2024, becoming national champion three times, and also thanked the island emblem for its collaboration in the separation process.
“My thanks to president Rui Alves for the opportunity to be able to coach a historic club like Nacional, as well as his willingness to release me from my contract. I hope that Nacional can achieve its goals for this season”, can be read in the same note.
The Lisbon coach also left a “word of appreciation” to everyone who worked with him at Nacional, as well as to “all his fans”, in a short experience of just over a month working in Madeira.
Hired in September to replace João Gião, who started the season, but ended up being fired after the fourth round, Alexandre Santos lost against Alverca (3-1), Famalicão (4-0) and Rio Ave (3-2), in the championship, having also been eliminated from the Portuguese Cup, against Sanjoanense, from the Portuguese Championship, after losing 1-0, in a third round match.
In this second spell at Petro de Luanda, Santos will succeed the fellow Portuguese João Pedro Sousa, dismissed from the Angolan team after 10 games in all competitions, leaving the team in second place in the championship, with 14 points, two behind leader Wiliete de Benguela, after six rounds.
