Brazilian coach Palmeiras has left open the possibility of a return to China next year. A day after guiding Palmeiras to their first Brazilian Serie A title since 1994, Cuca confirmed he would leave the Sao Paulo club after their final league match against Vitoria on Sunday.
Cuca, whose birth name is Alexi Stival, coached Shandong Luneng in 2014 and 2015, guiding the Jinan-based club to the Chinese Cup and Chinese Super Cup.
The 53-year-old has repeatedly been linked by Brazil’s media with a return to China next year.
“It could happen. I can’t lie,” Cuca told reporters. “I still don’t have anything confirmed but there is no chance that I will coach another team in Brazil.”
In the coming weeks he plans to visit Europe, where he is hopes to learn from some of Europe’s best coaches. Among those he admires most are Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool) and Maurizio Sarri (Napoli).