Arema FC Appoints Marcos Santos as New Head Coach for 2025–26 Season

Arema FC has officially introduced Marcos Santos as their new head coach for the upcoming 2025–26 Liga 1 season. The Brazilian tactician takes over from Ze Gomes, who was instrumental in keeping the team out of the relegation zone last season. The decision marks a strategic shift as the club aims to improve its performance and compete at a higher level in the league.
Marcos Santos arrived in Malang on June 26 and promptly signed his contract before observing the team’s training session at Stadion Kanjuruhan. With a coaching career that spans 14 clubs in Brazil, his most recent role was at Clube Nautico, where he led the team through 18 matches in just four months. His extensive experience in Brazilian football is expected to bring a fresh tactical approach to Arema’s gameplay.
At 46, Santos views this opportunity as a major step in his coaching journey. He expressed a strong motivation to restore Arema FC’s status among Indonesia’s top clubs. His goal for the upcoming season is to guide the team back to the upper end of the standings and reward the supporters with a more competitive and consistent campaign.
One of the key factors that influenced his decision to join Arema was the club’s passionate fan base. Despite the pressure that often comes with managing a team with a large following, Santos welcomes the challenge and sees it as an integral part of the job. His focus now shifts to preparing the squad for the new season and building a team capable of reaching the club's ambitious targets.
The Most Popular
-
Prediction: June 25th J1 League Kawasaki Frontale vs Albirex Niigata
-
Prediction: June 25th, Club World Cup, Benfica vs Bayern Munchen
-
Prediction: June 27th UEFA European U19 Championship Final Spain U19 vs Netherlands U19
-
Dortmund’s Last Stand: Securing Round of 16 Spot Against Ulsan
-
Prediction: June 28th FIFA Club World Cup Juventus vs Manchester City
-
Sundowns vs Fluminense: Battle for Club World Cup Survival