(photo: Gustavo Aleixo/Cruzeiro)
Journalist Paulo Vinícius Coelho revealed that coach Tite refused an offer from Internacional before agreeing with Cruzeiro. Former coach of the Brazilian team was announced this Tuesday (12/16) as Leonardo Jardim’s replacement in charge of Raposa.
According to PVC, Tite had plans to resume his career in European football after a break to take care of his mental health, but opted for the sports project presented by Pedro Lourenço, owner of SAF do Cruzeiro.
“A lot of people discuss why Tite accepted Cruzeiro and Brazilian football if he apparently had a perspective on European football. On Sunday night, I spoke to people who work with him, who said that he would give the answer to Internacional by this Tuesday or would wait for Europe. In the middle of that, there was Cruzeiro’s proposal”, began PVC, participating in the program Firstdo Uol Esporte.
“In fact, Cruzeiro’s sporting project was looking better. When he returns, Internacional has a huge political crisis at the moment. Tite looked at both projects, received Cruzeiro’s invitation, and Cruzeiro’s invitation is more seductive, because it seems to offer a greater chance of winning. Tite doesn’t want to return to join a team that isn’t meant to be champion or to try to be champion”, added PVC.
Tite and new Cruzeiro technical committee
Tite signed a one-year contract with Cruzeiro this Tuesday (16/12), one day after Leonardo Jardim said goodbye.
The new coach arrives in Belo Horizonte accompanied by assistants Matheus Bachi and Vinícius Bergantin, as well as physical trainer Fábio Mahseredjian.
Assistants José Barros, Antonio Vieira and Diogo Dias left Toca da Raposa alongside Leonardo Jardim.
Wesley Carvalho, assistant, Gustavo Shiroma, physical preparation coordinator, Robertinho and João Paulo Lacerda, goalkeeper trainers, remain on the club’s premises.
Tite’s career
Tite’s career is extensive: in 25 years, he has involved 14 clubs, in addition to the Brazilian team (for seven years). Guarani, Caxias, Veranópolis, Ypiranga and Juventude were the former midfielder’s first experiences as a coach.
In 2001, he took over Grêmio, the first major club of his career. Later, he also led São Caetano, Corinthians, Atlético, Palmeiras, Al Ain (Arab Emirates), Internacional, Al Wahda (Arab Emirates) and Flamengo.
Among Tite’s main achievements are two editions of the Brazilian Championship, two of the Copa do Brasil, one of the Copa Libertadores, one of the Club World Cup, one of the Copa Sudamericana and one of the Copa América.
Tite had been out of the market since April 2025, when he reached a verbal agreement with Corinthians, but gave up taking command of the team after suffering an anxiety attack.
At the time, the coach decided to take a break from his career to take care of his mental health.
