Tite recalls Emerson Sheik's arrival at Corinthians, hails first spell | OneFootball

One of the greatest coaches in Corinthians history, Tite recalled remarkable moments from his journey at the club during an appearance on the program Bate-Bola com Falcão. In the conversation, the coach spoke about the signing of Emerson Sheik in 2011 and also looked back on his first spell at Timão, in 2004, when he took over the team in a difficult situation in the Brazilian Championship.

The most successful coach in Corinthians history, Tite led the club in 378 matches, totaling 196 wins, 110 draws, and 72 losses. During his three spells at Parque São Jorge, he won six titles: the 2011 and 2015 Brazilian Championships, the 2012 Copa Libertadores and Club World Cup, as well as the 2013 Campeonato Paulista and Recopa Sudamericana.

Photo: Reproduction / Conmebol

When recalling Emerson Sheik’s arrival, Tite revealed that he sought references about the forward before the signing. According to the coach, despite his reputation for being undisciplined, he was assured that the player would be important for the Corinthians squad.

“Before signing a player, we look for information about him on the field and about situations off the field. Because the more information I have, the better I can work with him. I remember thinking: Sheik, when he scores, he’s tough, he’s cocky, and he scored a lot. Sheik played for Al-Ain, scored goals, lived in Dubai, would call and say he couldn’t train that day, and would only show up again two days later. One of the people I spoke with was Muricy.

He told me he was a guy who worked like crazy and that, even with the off-field situations, he responded face-to-face, with respect and reciprocity. And people were saying he would bring a problem [to Corinthians]. I said he wouldn’t bring any problem at all, that he would be the solution. Then Emerson came.”

In addition to highlighting the forward’s attitude during his time at the club, Tite recalled an episode involving Emerson Sheik to illustrate the player’s commitment. The coach said that, after being late for training, the forward arrived at the training center by helicopter to apologize and admitted his mistake.

“He was late once, twice. I just carried on with training as normal. A little later I hear a noise near the training center, there’s a helipad there, and we’re training. Then a guy [Sheik] comes up to me quietly apologizing, saying he was late.

I looked at him and told him to get changed, and that we’d talk afterward. I told him I knew he was a loyal guy and that he delivered, that he was a leader, that he had to set an example, that he had a responsibility to the younger players on the team and to the fans. He lowered his head and said I was right, apologized, disarmed me, you know? I told him I only wanted one thing from him: that he arrive on time. If he wanted to come by helicopter, by ship, by anything at all, he just had to be on time. When he made a mistake, he had the greatness and the character to say he had made a mistake,” he added.

The coach also looked back on his first spell at Corinthians, which began in 2004. At the time, he took over the team in second-to-last place in the Brazilian Championship and managed to lead the club to a Copa Libertadores spot.

“It was a very remarkable spell, one that makes me very proud. Because of the way it happened, the first time I went there [Corinthians in 2004] was to rebuild a team that was in the relegation zone, in second-to-last place. They had just lost 5–0 at home to Athletico Paranaense. Throughout the campaign, we brought in around 14 youth academy players to make the team younger and more competitive, with less technical quality but more competitiveness. We reorganized the team and finished the championship in a Libertadores place. That spell was emblematic. Many fans of this generation say they feel very grateful for that very difficult moment.”

The statements reinforce the historic bond between Tite and Corinthians. In addition to the titles he won, the coach is remembered for the connection he built with the club and for his role in different moments of the team’s history, from rebuilding the side in 2004 to the most successful period, crowned by the Libertadores and Club World Cup triumphs in 2012.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.