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 middle of competition.

However a couple of draws and the rise of his rival Palmeiras, took place from São Paulo that dropped down in table 4 positions finishing his participation in 5th.