Renato Paiva Appointed as New Head Coach of Santos Laguna

Portuguese coach Renato Paiva has been appointed as the new head coach of Santos Laguna, a club competing in Mexico's Liga MX. He has signed a contract that will keep him at the club for the next two seasons, marking his third managerial role in Mexican football.

Renato Paiva, aged 56, brings considerable experience to Santos Laguna. He previously managed Club León during the 2022/23 season and Toluca across the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons. Paiva's appointment follows his departure from Fortaleza in Brazil last September. His coaching career also includes stints in South America with Botafogo and Bahia in Brazil, as well as Independiente del Valle in Ecuador. Additionally, he has experience working with Benfica B in Portugal.

Santos Laguna has faced significant challenges in recent seasons. The club finished in 18th place, bottom of the table, in the 2025/26 Liga Clausura, repeating their last-place finish from the previous year. In the Liga Apertura, which is the first half of the season, Santos Laguna ended in 11th place, missing out on qualification for the play-offs. These results highlight the difficulties the club has encountered and set the stage for Paiva's task to improve the team's competitiveness.

Paiva's arrival is expected to bring fresh ideas and tactical adjustments to Santos Laguna as they seek to climb the Liga MX standings. His prior experience in the Mexican league and South American football may provide valuable insights into the regional playing styles and competitive environment. The two-year contract indicates the club's intention to provide stability and allow Paiva time to implement his vision.

Renato Paiva is scheduled to arrive in Mexico on the 24th to begin preparations for the upcoming season. His first challenge will be to assess the squad and start building a team capable of reversing recent poor results. The club and its supporters will be watching closely to see how Paiva adapts and what impact he can have on Santos Laguna's fortunes in the Liga MX.