After 468 days, Tite returned to act as coach in an official football game. The commander made his debut for Cruzeiro this Saturday (10), in the 2-1 defeat to Pouso Alegre, in the first round of the Campeonato Mineiro.
The coach’s last match had been for Flamengo, in the 1-0 victory over Athletico-PR, on September 29, 2024, before being fired. Since then, the veteran has experienced mental health problems, stepped away from football and immersed himself in a recovery process.
Back in action, Tite feels 100% fit and, as he said at the press conference, good about himself. The coach detailed the process he went through and celebrated the feeling of return.
“I’m going to repeat what I said in the lecture and at the entrance. It’s life! It’s life! It’s what I know how to do, my whole life has been like this”, said Tite at the press conference after the defeat to Pousão.
“It’s about being well with myself, being well in my head and on my knees. Another time we can talk about the anxiety crisis, about what happens. It’s about spending time with my family, getting better on both knees, being able to walk along the edge of the field, talk and carry out work. That makes me very happy. I’m very happy in my activity”, he added.
Cruzeiro’s new commander went further and designed the sequence of his career. According to the coach’s accounts, there is the possibility of continuing to work for at least another six years.
“I’m an accomplished guy, but I have a whole stage ahead of me. I’m 64, but until I’m 70 I think it’ll be great”, he said.
Tite lived a 2025 of recycling – a term he used in his introductory interview with Cruzeiro. The coach walked away, denied offers and revealed he was going through a phase of mental and physical difficulties.
The moment was overcome, and Tite signed with Raposa until the end of the season to replace Leonardo Jardim.
Cruise 1 x 2 Pouso Alegre
Cruzeiro was defeated by Pouso Alegre in the season opener. With goals from Alexandre Pena and Tota, the team from Sul de Minas scored 2-1 at Mineirão, this Saturday (10), and secured the three points in the first round of the Campeonato Mineiro. Raposa decreased with Kauã Prates.
The result leaves the celestial team without points in fourth place in Group C, while Rubro-Negro has three and leads Group B.
Cruzeiro’s next game will be this Wednesday (14). Starting at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Parque do Sabiá, in Uberlândia, the team will face Tombense. Pouso Alegre, in turn, will receive Itabirito, in Manduzão, in Pouso Alegre on the same day. The duel will start at 9pm (Brasília time).
