Botafogo Futebol SA Appoints André Leite as Interim Executive Following Toninho Cecílio's Departure
Botafogo Futebol SA announces Toninho Cecílio's exit as executive of football and names André Leite as interim executive to lead until season's end.
- • Toninho Cecílio leaves his role as Botafogo's executive of football after serving since August 2024.
- • Adalberto Baptista, president of the Board of Directors, was involved in the decision.
- • André Leite, youth categories coordinator since 2022, is interim executive until season's end.
- • Leite has prior experience at Athletico Paranaense and guided the U-20 team to Campeonato Paulista quarterfinals.
Key details
On October 21, 2025, Botafogo Futebol SA officially announced that Toninho Cecílio has stepped down from his role as executive of football. This leadership change occurred after a meeting between Cecílio and Adalberto Baptista, the president of the club's Board of Directors. Cecílio had been in the position since August 2024 and during his tenure contributed to the club's football operations.
The club expressed its gratitude to Cecílio for his work and wishes him success in his future endeavors. In the meantime, André Leite, who has been serving as the coordinator of Botafogo's youth categories since September 2022, will assume the role of interim executive of football until the end of the season. Leite brings extensive experience from his previous roles at Athletico Paranaense, Londrina, Joinville, and Coritiba. Notably, under his guidance, Botafogo's U-20 team reached the quarterfinals of the Campeonato Paulista twice.
Looking ahead, Botafogo is preparing for its next match against Novorizontino scheduled for October 24 at 19:00 at the Estádio Jorge Ismael de Biasi, part of the 34th round of the Série B championship.