Tiago Nunes: Libertadores Champion Tormentor
From Botafogo Exit to Libertadores Upset: The Rollercoaster of Tiago Nunes
Table of Contents
Published August 22, 2025, at 8:30 AM
A Swift Rise and Fall in brazil
Tiago Nunes’s tenure at Botafogo was brief but impactful, marked by both initial promise and ultimately, disappointment. arriving in November 2023, Nunes inherited a team that had recently relinquished its lead in the Brazilian league. Despite his efforts, the team’s performance didn’t stabilize, and after 15 games, internal criticism mounted. The club’s SAF (Sociedade Anônima de Futebol) board initially showed patience, acknowledging the challenges of the new season, but a draw against Aurora in the second round of the Copa Libertadores pre-qualifiers proved to be the breaking point, leading to Nunes’s departure.
During his time with Alvinegro, Nunes managed four wins, seven draws, and four losses, resulting in a 42.2% win rate. The dismissal, while swift, signaled a lack of confidence in his ability to turn the team’s fortunes around.
A South American journey: Chile and Ecuador
Nunes didn’t remain idle for long. Within a month of leaving Botafogo, he accepted a position with Universidad Católica in Chile. His stint there lasted from March 2024 to May 2025, ending after a string of four consecutive losses. The move to chile, while offering a fresh start, proved to be another short chapter in his career.
Though, nunes’s journey took an unexpected turn when Liga Deportiva Universitaria (LDU) of Ecuador came calling. Weeks after departing Universidad Católica, he was announced as LDU’s coach. Currently, LDU holds second place in the Ecuadorian national championship, demonstrating a resurgence under Nunes’s leadership.
Libertadores Shock: LDU Eliminates Botafogo
the irony wasn’t lost on observers as Nunes led LDU to a stunning victory over his former club, Botafogo, in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores on Thursday. Despite Botafogo, the reigning tournament champions managed by Davide Ancelotti, securing a 1-0 win in the first leg, they where ultimately eliminated by LDU. The Ecuadorian side’s superior performance at home proved decisive.
LDU quickly took control of the second leg, with Villamil scoring in the sixth minute. Alzugaray added a second goal later in the match, sealing Botafogo’s fate.Reports indicated that LDU dominated possession and created numerous scoring opportunities, though the Ecuadorian team also missed several chances. botafogo struggled to mount an effective attack, making critical errors in possession.
A Managerial Portfolio
Tiago Nunes’s career has been characterized by frequent moves. Beyond Botafogo, LDU, and Universidad Católica, he has also managed Athletico, Corinthians, Grêmio, and Ceará in Brazil.His experience extends to international football,having previously coached Sporting Cristal in Peru and participated in the Copa Libertadores.
| Club | Country | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Athletico | Brazil | (Dates not specified in source) |
| Corinthians | Brazil | (Dates not specified in source) |
| Grêmio | Brazil | (Dates not specified in source) |
| Ceará | Brazil | (Dates not specified in source) |
| Sporting Cristal | Peru | (Dates not specified in source) |
| Botafogo | Brazil | 2023-2024 |
| Universidad Católica | Chile | 2024-2025 |
| LDU | Ecuador | 2025-Present |