The 2018 season was São Paulo's 89th year since the club's existence. Due previous year playing for remaining in first division of national league, the club started his performance at state league, Campeonato Paulista, mistrusted by his own fans and media. The head coach Dorival Júnior was fired after 5 losses in only 14 matches, being defeated by all main rivals in just a month. To replace Dorival, São Paulo selected the Uruguayan Diego Aguirre, a former forward who was in the club for a short period of time in 1990. Despite the elimination in the semifinals of Campeonato Paulista and second round of Copa Sudamericana, Aguirre did a consistent job in the early months leading the team. In the first half of league São Paulo ended in first place holding its performance for 8 rounds at the mi