The curtain has fallen on Roger Machado's tenure at São Paulo FC. The 51-year-old manager was dismissed following the team's elimination in the fifth round of the Copa do Brasil at the hands of Juventude—a result that proved to be the final straw.

Machado's stint at the helm of Tricolor lasted 17 matches, yielding seven wins, four draws, and six defeats. He was brought in to take over the football department after the surprising dismissal of Hernán Crespo, and initially, things looked promising. Early victories over Chapecoense and Red Bull Bragantino even propelled São Paulo to the top of the Brasileirão after six rounds.

But the early momentum soon faded. A dip in league form and performances that fell short of fan expectations began to raise concerns. While the Copa Sudamericana campaign remained a bright spot—with two wins, two draws, and a perfect defensive record—the pressure was mounting. Rivals O'Higgins and Millonarios were breathing down São Paulo's neck, both sitting on seven points.

The turning point came with a string of poor results. The defeat to Juventude extended São Paulo's winless run to five matches, including two draws in the Sudamericana. Machado leaves Tricolor in fourth place in the Brasileirão with 24 points—ten fewer than league leaders Palmeiras.

It's been a turbulent season for the club, and now all eyes turn to Saturday, July 15, when São Paulo will face third-placed Fluminense at the Maracanã. For fans and players alike, it's a chance to turn the page and start fresh.