Bruno Spindel: Squad unity, trophy hunt and Gerson pursuit

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·6 January 2026

Bruno Spindel: Squad unity, trophy hunt and Gerson pursuit

Newly arrived at Cruzeiro, executive Bruno Spindel gave his first press conference at Toca da Raposa II on Tuesday afternoon (6). In almost an hour of conversation with the press, the executive mainly addressed the club's sports planning, transfer market strategy, and the main goal for the season: winning titles.

In his first days at the club, Spindel made a point of highlighting the internal culture implemented by majority shareholder Pedro Lourenço and CEO Pedro Junio. According to him, the work environment is an important differentiator at Cruzeiro.

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“The culture that Pedrinho and Junio implement at the club is very open. Cruzeiro is above everything and there are no barriers. All areas are integrated. Coaching staff, presidency, athletes, everyone is very integrated, all day long. It’s a pleasure for everyone to be here. You want to arrive at Toca as early as possible and not leave. Everyone has a clear and shared goal of winning. I feel at home because of this welcoming culture.”

Having recently worked at Flamengo, Spindel emphasized that each club has its own particularities, but praised Cruzeiro’s structure and pointed out key factors he considers fundamental for sporting success. The executive mentioned the strength of the youth academy, as seen in recent Copinha and Campeonato Mineiro campaigns, as well as the marketing department’s work in generating revenue.

“Each institution has its own peculiarities. First, I have to compliment, it’s a club that’s ready to win, with a structure that is on par with European clubs, with its people, with its processes. Cruzeiro has a strong youth academy, you can see that in the Copinha and also in the Mineiro. There are great prospects emerging from Cruzeiro’s academy. There’s a relentless marketing department to generate revenue. You have to be careful in using the club’s resources, be assertive in the market. When you have confidence in the names you bring in, it helps the group itself to compete and face the season, which is long, tough, and requires everyone.”

One of the main points of the press conference was the priority given to maintaining the squad, a request made by coach Tite since his arrival. Spindel reinforced that the club’s first effort is to preserve the core that raised the team’s level. In this context, the executive confirmed that Cruzeiro has made two official offers to Zenit for midfielder Gerson.

“First, the work here is already at a high level and ready to win. The players came back from vacation flying, the results are impressive. The main thing Professor Tite asked for when he came to the club was to keep the squad as a whole. The first effort is to keep the squad, which performed as it did and raised Cruzeiro’s level. Then, a few pieces to strengthen. At this moment our focus is on Gerson. All our respect to Zenit, we’ve already made two official offers for the player, we believe they are aggressive proposals from a business standpoint, bold. And we know we’re making this effort because we know what he can contribute to the group, to Cruzeiro, he will enhance other players. If it works out, he’ll come to add. But we know it’s very difficult. This proposal is only bold because of this context of maintaining the squad. It’s a very advantageous proposal for Zenit. But it’s very difficult, it’s a club that doesn’t need the financial resource. We’ll make every effort for the player who will add a lot to the club.”

Spindel was also emphatic when discussing the permanence of Kaio Jorge. According to him, the striker is a key piece in Cruzeiro’s sports project and the club will do everything to keep him.

“The next step for Cruzeiro, within the sports project, is to win titles again. Everything starts from that. There was a conversation with Professor Tite and it was stated, agreed, that the goal was to maintain the squad. Within this maintenance, everyone is important and there are key pieces that Cruzeiro will make every effort not to lose. Kaio Jorge is a great player, Cruzeiro needs him a lot and we made it clear to him that we need him a lot for Cruzeiro to achieve its goals. This leap in level, within South America, in the world, to be a winner. Kaio is one of the central pieces of this project, we made that clear to him. He will continue to be happy at Cruzeiro, where he was welcomed and, besides the fans, there is a president-owner who is passionate about the club and puts the team above everything. This environment he has here is something rare in our lives. What he (Kaio Jorge) wants here is to write history.”

Midfielder Matheus Pereira is in a similar situation, with his renewal still under negotiation. The executive acknowledged the complexity of the process, since the player is free to sign a pre-contract, but guaranteed the club’s total commitment.

“We need Matheus, just like we need Kaio. He is a central piece. Cruzeiro is making every effort in the world. The negotiations are being conducted as professionally as possible. Matheus is now free to sign a pre-contract, so the negotiation takes time, there are aspects and details that are not simple. But you can be sure, after everything I’ve said here, we need Matheus Pereira here, we’ll make every effort in the world for him to stay. The talks are happening and I hope for a positive outcome, I have that hope. Lack of commitment from the club will not be an issue.”

When talking about goals, Spindel was direct: Cruzeiro enters every competition to compete for titles.

“Winning titles. I’ve learned in life, any title, it’s worth a lot. The first thing to lose is not to value a title. You work, every day, day and night, to win titles. The first step to losing is not valuing it. Our most important thing here is the game on the 10th against Pouso Alegre, then the next, the next… always focusing on the next, that’s the shortest and most efficient path. The first focus is the Mineiro, but every competition Cruzeiro enters, it has to compete. The goal is to win titles. It has to be valued, it has a special flavor.”

Asked about the division of duties with Portuguese Joaquin Pinto, Spindel highlighted the collective work in football management. “Pedrinho has a very nice phrase, which is ‘divide the problems to add up’. It’s a team effort where we have our responsibilities, but always helping each other. In the day-to-day relationship, coach, squad, market. There’s a lot to do. No one shies away from any responsibility.”, he explained.

Finally, the executive commented on the signing of striker Chico da Costa, formerly of Mirassol, emphasizing the direct request from coach Tite.

“Mainly for tactical reasons, to give the team an alternative, especially against lower defenses in certain game situations. Tite asked for a striker with this characteristic. The coach’s wish is always central. The club has its scouting and intelligence area, but it’s essential that the coach wants the player. I’m sure Chico will contribute a lot. The squad needs players with different characteristics.”

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