I'd feel guilty, says Vojvoda on returning to Fortaleza without pay

I'd feel guilty, says Vojvoda on returning to Fortaleza without pay Juan Pablo Vojvoda was unveiled by Fortaleza on Thursday (12). The Argentine coach—considered the greatest in the club’s history—returned to Laion with the mission of securing promotion back to Série A, without financial gain in mind. He and his coaching staff waived their salaries for the three weeks of work. Fortaleza will only be required to pay each of them the minimum wage to meet registration requirements. At the press conference, Vojvoda made it clear that he would not feel comfortable demanding payment upfront given the club’s current financial situation. " I know the financial difficulties clubs face when they get relegated. It doesn’t just happen at Fortaleza, but at many clubs. I know the club is not in the best shape financially. So, coming back to Fortaleza for three games and demanding money or a future at the club, a new contract—I didn’t feel comfortable with that ." The 51-year-old went on to recall that the club’s situation during his first spell, from 2021 to 2025, was different. " I can say this openly: when I had to ask Fortaleza for money, I did. And I made money at Fortaleza, like everyone else, even the everyday staff. We all made money. That’s the truth. And you did too, because you got to travel to Sudamericana and Libertadores games ." " When the club is doing well, we all benefit. When the club is in a difficult position, I don’t feel comfortable saying, ‘I’m going to take advantage of this situation and profit financially.’ No, that wasn’t my intention, and I would feel bad about myself ," he added. What is certain is that Vojvoda and his staff will receive a bonus if Fortaleza secure promotion against Criciúma. Here is how things stand. The promotion race 🔼 Fortaleza have already secured a place in the Série B playoffs, where they will face Criciúma for a spot in next year’s Série A. Only the home advantage for the two-legged tie remains to be decided, following the competition’s 38th and final round. Tigre (4th) and Laion (5th) both have 62 points, with the Santa Catarina side ahead on wins (18 to 16). On Saturday (14), Tricolor face Vila Nova at Castelão, hoping to overtake Criciúma, who host Novorizontino. The other playoff tie will pit Juventude or Vila against the sixth-placed team, which could be CRB, Goiás or Atlético-GO. Only leaders Novorizontino have secured promotion—the first in their history. The second automatic promotion spot will go to Juventude or Vila. Vojvoda at the helm of Laion 🦁 Between 2021 and 2025, he oversaw 310 games, with 145 wins, 77 draws and 88 defeats. Under Vojvoda, Laion played in the Libertadores for the first time in their history, in 2022. Laion also finished as Copa Sudamericana runners-up and won a total of five trophies under the Argentine. See Fortaleza’s achievements under Vojvoda below Three Libertadores appearances (2022, 2023 and 2024) Two top-four finishes in the Brasileirão (2021 and 2024) Copa Sudamericana runners-up in 2023 Copa do Brasil semifinalists in 2021 Two Copa do Nordeste titles (2022 and 2024) Three Campeonato Cearense titles (2021, 2022 and 2023) Featured photo: Leonardo Moreira/FEC This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.