Cruzeiro sign ex-Flamengo boss Tite, reunion with Gabigol ahead | OneFootball

Tite returns to manage a football club more than a year after leaving Flamengo

Brazilian football teams are already planning for 2026. As a result, after being eliminated in the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil, Cruzeiro and Leonardo Jardim opted for an amicable contract termination. Now, the team from Minas Gerais has hired the former Flamengo coach, Tite.

In summary, Cruzeiro and Tite finalized the last details on the morning of this Tuesday (16). The contract was signed in Rio de Janeiro and runs until the end of 2026. Meanwhile, the Minas Gerais club awaits the former Flamengo coach in Belo Horizonte for the official presentation.

Why did Cruzeiro want to hire Tite?

It is worth noting that Tite was the main name pointed out by Cruzeiro's management. This is because the internal understanding is that the former Flamengo coach fits the profile of the sports project envisioned by the Minas Gerais club.

Will Gabigol and Tite reunite?

With Tite's hiring, the coach is indeed expected to reunite with Gabigol. However, the striker's stay at Cruzeiro is not guaranteed, as the player receives a high salary and has not managed to secure a starting position.

How was Tite's tenure at Flamengo?

Tite arrived at Flamengo in October 2023 to replace the Argentine Jorge Sampaoli. This was the coach's first job after years leading the Brazilian National Team. At the helm of the "Mais Querido," the coach led 68 matches, with 41 victories, and won the Carioca title.

However, after a series of poor results, including elimination in the Libertadores against Peñarol (URU), Flamengo's management decided to terminate the contract with Tite. Thus, Filipe Luís, who was the coach of the under-20 team at the time, was chosen to take over the professional squad.

What is Flamengo's situation?

While Cruzeiro seeks a revamp, Flamengo remains focused on making even more history in the 2025 season. This is because the "Mais Querido" faces PSG (FRA) this Wednesday (17) in the grand final of the World Cup. Filipe Luís's team will face the French at 2 PM (Brasília time), at Al Rayyan Stadium, in Doha, Qatar.

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