Jair Ventura is experiencing the longest run without an away victory of his coaching career in Brazil’s Série A. The Vitória manager has not won on the road in 18 consecutive league matches, a drought that began during last season’s competition.
The sequence has also exposed Vitória’s difficulties away from home. The club has a 11.76% away record in the current Brazilian Championship, while Ventura’s overall record in Série A away matches is higher, at 30.46%.
Since taking charge of Botafogo in 2016, Ventura has managed 128 away matches in the Brazilian Championship. His record stands at 27 victories, 36 draws and 65 defeats.
“It's our Achilles' heel, I have no answer to give. We try alternatives, tactical changes, changes in players, everything. We can't maintain the strength we have at home,” Ventura said after another away setback. He also highlighted Vitória’s ten home wins and said those results have kept the team ahead of other sides in the competition.
Ventura’s career began with stronger away performances. In his first ten Série A away matches with Botafogo in 2016, he recorded six wins, three defeats and one draw, a 63% return. One of those victories came on August 14, 2016, when Botafogo defeated São Paulo 1-0 at the Morumbi in Ventura’s first match after being appointed permanent head coach.
The coach needed 22 away matches to reach ten Série A victories. In his following 22 away games, however, he won only twice. The same number of victories was recorded across Vitória’s most recent 22 away matches.
Ventura has two more away fixtures in 2026 to try to end the current drought: against Internacional and Vasco. Both opponents remain threatened by relegation.
Before those matches, Vitória will play at home against Fluminense on Friday at 8 p.m. Brasília time, in the 34th round. The club is currently 14th with 38 points, two above the relegation zone.
Sources: Globo Esporte.