Cuca says he may have to leave Brazil’s Santos due to health problems

Manager Alexi “Cuca” Stival said Thursday that he might have to leave Brazilian league club Santos at the end of this season due to health problems.

“I have a health issue, and I will probably have to leave Santos to take care of it,” the 55-year-old Brazilian manager said.

Cuca said after learning that Santos president Jose Carlos Peres hinted that the coach could be leaving the team due to health problems that his situation should not have been revealed to the press.

Media reports said the manager needs to undergo heart surgery after suffering a minor heart attack on Sept. 23 during a match against Cruzeiro.

Cuca, who played for Santos in 1993, became the club’s manager in July, replacing Jair Ventura.

He won the Copa Libertadores title with Atletico Mineiro in 2013 and the Brazilian Championship with Palmeiras in 2016.