“Tite leaves Cruzeiro and Filipe Luís could be the new coach.”

Turbulence at Cruzeiro reached its climax following a disappointing 3-3 draw with Vasco, which resulted in the dismissal of Tite from his position as head coach. This outcome, unexpected for many, comes after a disastrous start to the current edition of the Campeonato Brasileiro, where the team finds itself second to last and still searching for its first victory. Despite having won the Campeonato Mineiro, the pressure accumulated from poor results in the national league became unbearable.

Pedro Junio, the vice-president of football at Cruzeiro, did not hesitate to take responsibility for the poor campaign and apologized to the fans, expressing his dissatisfaction with the current situation. “I apologize for our campaign in the Campeonato Brasileiro. The performance we are delivering is not worthy of our supporters. We thank Tite and his entire team for their service to Cruzeiro; they showed commitment and dedication, but our results and performance compel us to make this decision to change,” Junio stated, making it clear that Tite’s continuation was out of the question.

Tite, who previously served as the head coach of the Brazilian national team, was hired last December to replace the Portuguese Leonardo Jardim, who rescinded his contract. Interestingly, Jardim, now at Flamengo, took the position left vacant by Filipe Luís. Flamengo, which has become a direct rival, seems to have found stability, while Cruzeiro is facing a crisis.

Rumors about the next coach have already begun to circulate, with Filipe Luís, who has had a successful stint at Flamengo, being one of the main candidates to take charge of the team. In addition to him, names such as Argentine Marcelo Gallardo, former coach of River Plate, are also on the list. Both are currently free on the market, ready to accept a new challenge. Another name emerging as a possibility is Portuguese Artur Jorge, who made a name for himself by winning the Libertadores in 2024 with Botafogo. However, the current coach of Al-Rayyan in Qatar could represent a significant investment due to his release clause.

During his time at the helm of Cruzeiro, Tite accumulated a record of eight wins, two draws, and seven losses in 17 matches. The highlight of his tenure was winning the Campeonato Mineiro, where the team triumphed over rivals Atlético-MG by 1-0. However, the reality in the Brasileirão was different, with the team suffering disastrous results, starting with a humiliating 4-0 defeat against Botafogo, followed by a setback at home against Coritiba and a series of draws and losses that culminated in the draw with Vasco, which led to his departure.

Now, Cruzeiro faces a critical moment in search of a new leader who can turn the situation around and bring the team back to winning ways. The next coaching appointment will be crucial for the future of the club, which is fighting to regain its position in Brazilian football.