Arema FC sack Marcos Santos after 1-5 defeat by Persija
The club dropped to 12th in the Super League after taking one win, three draws and two defeats from their opening six matches.
Arema FC terminated head coach Marcos Santos’s contract on 23 October after a 1-5 loss to Persija Jakarta in their sixth Super League match. The result left the club in 12th place.
In a statement on Instagram, Arema said the decision followed a comprehensive review of the team’s run of poor results. Management said it had acted to get the club’s 2026/2027 campaign back on course.
The Brazilian coach had been in charge since the start of the 2025/2026 season. He oversaw 34 Super League matches in that campaign, guiding Arema to a ninth-place finish before continuing into a second season.
Arema’s only victory in their opening six matches this season was a 4-0 win over Isenmulang Kalteng FC. Their other results were three draws and two defeats. The club thanked Santos for his dedication during his tenure and also apologised to its supporters.
